The Victim Services Unit is housed under the Criminal Investigations Division. The Victim Support Specialists assist victims of non-fatal shootings, aggravated assaults, robberies, and other violent crimes. They also work with families of homicide victims. While their tasks are varied, they mainly focus on: helping victims navigate the criminal justice process; making counseling referrals; being a liaison between the victim and the detective; and assisting with victim compensation applications.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Meet The Team

 Mary Nero

Mary started with the Greensboro Police Department in 2003 as a rookie officer. In her tenure as a sworn officer, she was a Patrol Officer and a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) where she worked in the Family Victims Unit and the Homicide Unit. 

In 2017 Mary took an extended leave of absence but returned to GPD in 2020 as a professional staff member to become the first Victim Advocate assigned solely to the Homicide Unit.

Mary’s experience as a detective sets her up to uniquely serve victims and survivors with an understanding of the investigative processes and community support programs.

In Mary’s spare time, she enjoys running the local trails and greenways in Greensboro and whipping up fine home-cooked Italian-American meals which her husband really appreciates.

Tiara Washington

Tiara comes to Greensboro Police Department with a background in law enforcement. Tiara served as a sworn officer on the NC A&T State University’s police department (Go Aggies!) but hails from the Fayetteville, NC area. Tiara has a depth of interpersonal skills that she developed while working Security at Disney World and as a Juvenile Probation Officer in Florida.

Tiara is a mother of two lively children and enjoys audiobooks in her few, but precious free moments.

Emily Weisensel

Emily made the jump as a Crime Scene Investigator from the High Point Police Department to GPD’s Victim Services Unit because she has a desire to assist victims in navigating the legal system while providing empathy and support.

Emily also has a background as a security officer at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin which gave her a foundation for helping people on their not-so-great days.

When Emily isn’t assisting victims of violent crimes she can be found riding horses or volunteering at HORSEPOWER Therapeutic Learning Center to help individuals with physical, intellectual, and/or emotional disabilities engage with the power of the horse.

Wanting to reach out?

Contact: Mary Nero 

Phone: 336-580-2979

Email: Mary.Nero@Greensboro-nc.gov