ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office is pursuing the addition of a special victims unit.

Sheriff Derek Osborne tells 607 News Now the SVU would investigate complaints about sexual assault and child abuse, with investigators that are specifically trained.

“If any type of investigation needs specialization, it’s sexual assault and serious child abuse,” Osborne said Thursday, Oct. 22 on WHCU’s 607 This Morning. “What we’re proposing is putting a separate unit within the Sheriff’s office that just focuses on these types of crimes.”

Osborne first publicly introduced his concept at the Tuesday, Oct. 20 meeting of the Tompkins County Legislature. During the meeting, the sheriff outlined his vision for an SVU in Tompkins County.

“It would be staffed by a dedicated lieutenant, five criminal investigators, an investigator assigned specifically to evidence and forensic services, and a civilian clerk to support case coordination and administration,” Osborne stated.

On WHCU, Osborne explained how his department’s SVU would impact victims of sex and child abuse crimes.

“It gives them another opportunity to present it to a law enforcement agency that’s specifically trained in this area,” Osborne said. “What I hope is that’ll give them more confidence in reporting a sexual assault that occurs to them knowing it’ll be handled properly.”

When it comes to funding an SVU, Osborne says he’s still looking at options. The Sheriff’s department budget for 2027 was already submitted.