UCSB detective outlines outreach and caseload in Isla Vista interpersonal-violence report

Detective Tori Saunders, the interpersonal-violence investigator with the UCSB Police Department, told the Isla Vista Community Services District board that building relationships through outreach and completing required detective trainings were top priorities after she began the role in January 2025.

Saunders summarized her background and trainings, saying she had "attended the California District Attorneys Association Interpersonal Violence and Stalking Summit" and completed ICICORE and assault-specific investigator courses as part of detective preparation. She said outreach has included safety talks with sororities and student organizations and that she is available for collaborations, providing an email contact (tori.saunders@police.ucsb.edu).

The investigator also described casework and interagency handoffs. "The sheriff's department has jurisdiction over Isla Vista, and the UCSB police department has jurisdiction over campus-owned properties," Saunders said, explaining that outside agencies sometimes take initial reports and then refer follow-up to UCPD detectives when incidents occur on campus or in Isla Vista. She said she and a partner, Detective Garcia, now handle follow-up assignments that require in-depth investigation.

Board members pressed Saunders for details about training completion, continuity of closing data from prior detectives and reasons survivors sometimes stop participating in investigations. Saunders said the required detective trainings were complete and that reasons survivors discontinue cooperation vary: "every survivor's case is different," she said, noting some survivors find reporting empowering while others pause or stop because the process becomes overwhelming.

Directors asked whether Greek-life groups are required to receive safety or consent training; Saunders said she was not aware of a universal campus requirement but that national Panhellenic organizations and some chapters have their own "standards of excellence" and quarterly trainings. She and board members discussed improving outreach and sharing safety-talk content; one director asked whether Saunders could provide the materials used in outreach sessions for board review.

Saunders declined to give details on older prosecution-phase cases she was not assigned to but said former detective Arlene Samaniego (now a sergeant) remained involved with some matters at the district attorney's office. Saunders offered to return updates as appropriate and reiterated that survivors follow distinct paths through reporting and prosecution.

The board took no formal action on the presentation. Chair and directors thanked Saunders for the briefing and encouraged continued coordination among campus police, Isla Vista foot patrol and county detectives.

The next step for the board was to request any available closing data from prior detectives for continuity and to consider how to improve outreach to groups that have been slow to respond to safety-talk invitations.