The Houston Police Department is working to contact thousands of sexual assault victims whose cases were suspended due to a “bad policy.”
Key Points
- Policy Impact: Over 4,000 rape cases and more than 260,000 total cases
- Former Chief: Larry Satterwhite
- Policy Code: “SL” (Suspended-Lack of Personnel)
Background
In 2016, a policy was implemented allowing officers to classify investigations as “SL” due to staffing issues. This policy effectively halted many cases, including over 4,000 reported rapes.
Former Interim Police Chief Larry Satterwhite:
“The policy affected real victims. We are not running from anything. Where we made mistakes, where we failed, we’re going to tell you.”
Discovery and Investigation
The extensive use of the “SL” code came to light on September 9, 2023. During a robbery investigation, a suspect tied up a man and sexually assaulted his wife. Evidence from the crime matched a sexual assault kit from 2022. The 2022 case had been marked with the “SL” code despite having the offender’s description, name, and vehicle details.
Satterwhite’s Reaction:
“At the time, the question across everybody’s minds was, ‘How could this happen?’ So we did a deep dive into how it actually happened and how this could have been done.”
Report Findings
Houston police released a comprehensive report detailing:
- How the policy began
- Its impact on cases
- Steps being taken to resolve the issue
Affected Divisions
| Division | Cases with “SL” Code |
|---|---|
| Special Victims Division | 9,012 |
| Homicide Division | 6,537 |
Moving Forward
The Houston Police Department is committed to addressing the mistakes and ensuring justice for the affected victims. The department’s efforts include contacting victims and re-examining shelved cases.
Summary
The Houston Police Department is taking steps to rectify a policy that led to the suspension of thousands of cases, including over 4,000 rape cases. Former interim police Chief Larry Satterwhite has acknowledged the mistakes, and the department is working diligently to contact victims and resolve these cases.
