This article was originally published in the Summer 2020 issue of Marie Claire. The interview took place in March.

The NYPD's Special Victims Division (SVD) specializes in investigating sex crimes--yes, just like the characters in the hit TV show that inspired the department do. But in March 2018, the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) released a report revealing that the SVD was grossly understaffed, mishandled cases, and prioritized stranger rape cases over acquaintance rape cases.The NYPD disputed many of the findings, but some changes were implemented. One of its first actions was to appoint Judith Harrison, a former precinct commander with 21 years of experience, to lead the police department into the future.

Harrison had wanted to be a police officer since she was 10 years old. Growing up in Queens, she and her brother were regularly checked out by local officers at an early age. (Their mother was a civilian employee of the NYPD.) "They made me feel important and cared about," says the 52-year-old Harrison, the first woman of color to serve as a commander in the SVD, who now feels the same sense of police protection that sexual assault survivors She strives to make sure they feel that same sense of protection. After becoming deputy chief and later taking the top job at SVD, she increased staff, doubled the training program, and updated some of the precincts to make them more survivor-friendly. But the scrutiny is far from over: a recent New York Times article (opens in new tab) details how a botched investigation into the rape of an NYU student led to three more attacks. Victims' advocates took to the streets and demanded that the department be reorganized on a larger scale. Still, Harrison insists that the SVD is improving. Harrison still insists that the SVD is improving.

Judith Harrison A victim-centered approach focuses on the survivor's experience at every stage of the investigation. We want to allow survivors to control the pace of the investigation, to stop if they do not want to move forward, or to proceed if they decide to. We want to be open and honest as well as supportive of survivors. We know that not all sex crimes end with an arrest. But for me, if the victim feels informed, validated, and that we have empowered and supported them, it is a victory.

JH: We've been able to increase our staffing so we've been able to reduce our caseload, and since September we've had a victim advocacy officer at two of the precincts, and we're looking to expand that further. They have been in the department for some time but were not specifically assigned to the SVD detachment. Their role is to support survivors, hold their hand, explain the process, and connect them to various resources such as counseling. The Manhattan squad also opened a new base of operations. It doesn't look like a typical police facility: it's comfortable, from the color of the walls to the artwork to the type of furniture. Previously, survivors were interviewed at the investigator's desk. Now there is a dedicated waiting area for survivors, an interview room, and an area for children. It is very important for survivors to have a safe space.

JH: We utilize a variety of training seminars. We just reintroduced the Forensic Experiential Trauma Interviewing training. It is very important to understand that trauma can cause people to not be able to remember things the way we would normally want them to, and to learn how to get the most information out of people while still being sensitive. We ask more open-ended questions rather than the typical "who, what, when, where, and why" questions. We try not to cause discomfort.

JH: To be clear, from my perspective, rape is rape, regardless of who committed it. Whether the victim was raped by someone she knew, a relative, or someone she was married to does not change the fact that she was raped. It is all heinous and horrible. We make no distinction (based on the relationship between perpetrator and survivor). We investigate the same and pursue them with the same vigor.

JH: I can't comment on the pending litigation, but I got into this job because I believe in it. The men and women I work with every day believe in this job and we give it our all every day. We investigate cases, we put an end to people, and we put very bad people behind bars. I believe in that.

JH: I obviously disagree with that. We have been and are working hard to give closure to the courageous survivors who have come forward. I am open to criticism. If you can show me something different so that the outcome will benefit the survivors, I'm all for it.

JH: I am concerned about that, but everywhere I go to speak, at conferences and community council meetings, what I tell people is always the same: we are all in this together. As difficult as it may be, put your trust and faith in us. We promise to do our best to bring closure to all of you.

JH: I am a little biased, but I am excited about the opportunity to serve the greatest police department in the world. We can take criticism, make changes, and move forward. To me, it shows that we are adaptable and want to be better. There have certainly been many changes in positive directions. I have been a police officer for almost 23 years now and have been fortunate enough to serve in many different assignments. I am excited to be a part of this change.

JH: I'm a fan of the show and tend to be critical of cop shows. But, you know, "SVU" is almost like it. I love the show. I have a colleague who calls me "BOB: The Black Olivia Benson."