Missoula police create special victims' unit

 MISSOULA (AP) — The Missoula police department has created a special victims unit and has created a more comfortable interview room for victims of violent crime.

Police spokesman Travis Welsh says the new room includes two plush chairs and a small table, an improvement over the harsh lighting and white walls in previous interview rooms.

The department spent about $100,000 to remodel two interview rooms into four, including the “soft room.”

The agency also set up a special victims’ unit in an office building across the street from the police station. Five detectives and a supervisor who work there focus on violent and sex crime cases. Police Chief Mike Brady says the move also alleviated some overcrowding at the station.

Detective Sgt. Scott Pastian says the goal is to provide better services for sexual assault victims.