74 °F
Investigators completed a months-long review of all 4,017 sexual assault crime reports that were suspended because of an internal code used to indicate a lack of personnel, according to the Houston Police Department.
34 charges were filed against 27 suspects during the review. The charges ranged from violent crimes like aggravated assault to misdemeanors. Of the cases, 3,462 have been cleared, suspended or inactivated. The remaining cases are under investigation, and any suspended cases will be reopened if additional evidence is provided.
Police Chief Troy Finner announced in February the code was used to suspend more than 264,000 department-wide cases over the last eight years. The announcement prompted Houston Mayor John Whitmire to appoint an independent five-member review panel to examine the department's investigation. More than 100 officers were assigned to review the thousands of suspended sexual assault cases.
Nearly 92,000 of the total 264,000 suspended cases have been reviewed, Finner said Thursday. Of those, investigators determined about 30,000 of them were rightfully suspended, but under the incorrect code.
“This is what progress looks like,” Finner said in a statement posted to X. “We are learning from any past mistakes in our case management and review protocols and making corrections as this review process continues.”
“Our communications with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and the Houston Forensic Science Center have improved, with frequent meetings being held to discuss best avenues in seeking justice for any survivors and complainants,” Finner said.
During the review, 94 sexual assault reports were found to have DNA profiles identified in the Combined DNA Index System. Of the 94, 14 of those hits matched profiles of people already incarcerated for other crimes.
The police department is reviewing about 10,000 remaining cases per week.