The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce Detective Christina Gardner of the Special Victims Unit (SVU) has been assigned to work full-time at Safe Passage, the community’s child advocacy center. Detective Gardner has served with the Sheriff’s Office since 2014 and brings years of experience to this critical role. This strategic placement marks a significant step forward in strengthening efforts to protect and support children in crisis.
By embedding Detective Gardner on-site, the Sheriff’s Office is enhancing collaboration among law enforcement, the Department of Human Services, mental health professionals, medical providers, and victim advocates. This coordinated, multidisciplinary approach fosters a more victim-centered investigative process while ensuring children and their families receive immediate access to critical support services.
Locating investigative resources within Safe Passage allows for a more compassionate response to cases involving child victims. Families are connected to professional care and advocacy in a single, supportive environment, helping to reduce the emotional and psychological impact on young victims during the investigative process.
“This partnership represents our continued commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “By placing a dedicated SVU detective at Safe Passage, we are strengthening collaboration, improving how we support victims and their families, and ensuring children receive the care, compassion, and justice they deserve.”
“We are grateful for this partnership with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and the assignment of Detective Gardner to Safe Passage,” said Maureen Basenberg, MPA, and Executive Director of Safe Passage. “Having a dedicated SVU detective on-site enhances our ability to provide a coordinated, child-centered response. This collaboration ensures children and families receive the support, care, and advocacy they need in a safe and compassionate environment.”
Safe Passage gives abused children a voice and enables the healing process by acting as a single point of contact for medical, investigative, and legal services. The organization serves children from birth to age 18, as well as intellectually and developmentally disabled adults, who are victims of sexual or physical abuse and/or witnesses to homicide or domestic violence.
The presence of a full-time SVU detective at Safe Passage will foster additional trust across the community and vulnerable populations and encourage more families to report suspected abuse. This unified effort not only enhances the effectiveness of investigations but also reinforces El Paso County’s broader commitment to child safety, welfare, and protection. This initiative aligns with the Sheriff’s Office Strategic Plan, developed in partnership with the community, which serves as a clear roadmap for the agency’s future. Built on four pillars—Community Trust, Reduce Victims, Quality Service, and Legislation.
To learn more about Safe Passage, visit: www.safepassagecac.org