Retired Detective Justin Boardman was in law enforcement for 15 years, all with the West Valley City Police Department. During these years, he has had a very diverse career. His first eight years were spent as a patrol officer in this very active city. In that capacity, he was awarded the Police Star, multiple Life Saving, Distinguished Service, and Meritorious Service Awards.
He was then assigned to the Property Crimes Unit for a short time and for seven years, he has been assigned to the Special Victim’s Unit. During his first year in Investigation’s, Justin was awarded Investigator of the Year, conducted nearly 300 forensic child victim interviews, and 140 adult sexual assault victim interviews.
Justin co-authored (along with Donna Kelly) a Trauma-Informed Victim Interview protocol for adult victims of sexual assault. This new protocol uses the Neurobiology of Trauma to gain additional information to be used in the investigation. This process has been studied and has shown to increase prosecutions along with procedure changes.
Justin now presents and consults locally in Utah and nationally on a variety of subjects. His focus is to strengthen investigations in victim-centered, suspect-focused, and trauma-informed ways. He also believes in pushing culture change. Justin left active police work to focus on culture change within the community he loves.
Justin has been awarded the Utah Visionary Voice Award, presented by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, and the 2017 Public Policy Award by the Utah Council on Victims of Crime. Locally, Justin has sat on the Board of Directors for the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the Rape Recovery Center.