The Houston Police Department is working to contact thousands of sexual assault victims whose cases were suspended due to a policy that former Chief Larry Satterwhite referred to as a “mistake.” The policy, implemented in 2016, allowed officers to improperly classify investigations due to staffing issues, resulting in over 260,000 cases, including more than 4,000 reported rapes, being halted. The department released a report detailing the origins of the policy and its impact, as well as the steps being taken to address the issue.
The deficiencies in the policy were highlighted when physical evidence from a recent sexual assault matched evidence from a 2022 case that had been suspended improperly. This led to an internal investigation that eventually resulted in the retirement of former Chief Troy Finner. J. Noe Diaz has been introduced as the new chief, pending approval from the city council.
To address the suspended cases, the Houston Police Department has assigned a special team to review and prioritize the investigations. They have also set up a call line and email address for victims seeking information, and have been reaching out to victims through various means. While the focus on solving these cases has impacted resources for nonviolent crimes, no disciplinary action has been taken against employees who implemented the “SL” code. The department is committed to rectifying the mistakes made and providing closure to victims of sexual assault.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com
