Victoria Perisee-Johns has worked in social services for 18 years in a variety of capacities with a variety of demographics. Victoria has experience working with at-risk individuals, her areas of specialization include crisis intervention, mental health, substance abuse, sex workers, at risk youth, and criminal offenders. Her large knowledge base is especially helpful when considering her experience of working within the criminal courts system and alongside law enforcement. Her unique blend of experience and education leads to immense success working alongside law enforcement.

Victoria Perisee-Johns holds an Associates in Substance Abuse Counseling, Bachelor’s in psychology with a mental health concentration and minor in Criminal Justice, and a Master’s in clinical forensic psychology. She is currently working towards her PhD in Organizational Leadership with a dissertation focusing on understanding mental health stigma with the police department and if those in leadership positions have an influence on the level of stigma. Victoria has attended a variety of training including motivational interviewing, domestic violence, working with gang affiliated substance abusers, and problem and compulsive gamblers.

Victoria has had a life-long interest in law enforcement and wanting to gain a better understanding of people. When she worked as a Police Crisis Clinician, she successfully partnered with police departments to meet community needs. Through this work Victoria began to see the need for such programming; however, quickly learned this opportunity was not readily available to all communities and services varied greatly by community. Victoria began to familiarize herself with programming not only locally but nationwide. After years of social service work both in the criminal justice system and alongside law enforcement, she transitioned into consultation work to better help police departments and social service agencies design, implement crisis services.

Victoria Perisee-Johns was born and raised outside of Chicago, Illinois. She presently resides in a suburb outside of Chicago, Illinois with her husband, 3 kids, 3 dogs, and 2 cats. Victoria’s husband works in law enforcement as a K9 Captain in the federal system. In Victoria’s free time she enjoys reading and hanging out with her dogs while catching up on her shows.

What can you expect from working with Victoria? Victoria is focused on being transparent and accountable. Her dedication to policing and working with the community offers a different perspective not only to law enforcement but social service professionals and community residents. Victoria is known to be extremely engaged and observant. Her motivation is encouraging to others she interacts with while at the same time she is out-going and has a positive attitude. When needed she can be out-spoken, direct, and honest. Victoria’s goal is to provide departments with the highest quality of service which translates into significant difference in officers interactions with the community and the community’s interaction with the department.