Police chief responds to criticism of internal review of sex assault cases
Chris Ensing | CBC | Posted: June 22, 2017 9:52 PM | Last Updated: June 22, 2017
Former officer called the London police 'tone deaf' to sexual assault victims
The head of the city's police department is responding to criticism of the London Police Service's review of unfounded sexual assault cases.
Chief John Pare told CBC's London Morning that an internal review of 690 sexual assault allegations found to be without merit when they were initially investigated between 2010 to 2014 were handled correctly.
A Globe and Mail investigation found that London police classified 30 per cent of sexual assault allegations between 2010 and 2014 as "unfounded" meaning that officers believed no crime was attempted or occurred.
"At this point the investigations have been reviewed. We've gone back and made sure nothing was missed," Pare said during the interview. "Nothing so far has been uncovered as an issue."
Lesley Bikos, a former London police officer, called his comments "tone-deaf" and "disingenuous."
And she wasn't the only one who spoke out following Pare's comments.
Wayne Hissong, a former police officer with 20 years of international experience, told CBC News that the police chief needed to take unfounded sex assaults 'more seriously.'
'Clarify' purpose of the review
Chief Pare issued a statement Thursday afternoon to "clarify" the purpose of the review.
"This review was not intended to "reinvestigate" each individual case that had been classified as unfounded," the statement read."But rather to complete an analysis of how the investigations were conducted, the outcomes of the investigations and how those incidents had been classified and cleared."
Pare said the review did not entail "reinvestigating" cases but said police would reopen the investigation into a case if the review uncovered "additional evidence or further investigative avenues."
"Nothing so far has been uncovered to cause us to reopen an investigation," said Pare in the statement.
Additional training
Pare said that members of the London police have attended training with community partners.
Pare said he supports a version of a case review model that grants community groups access to sexual assault investigations.
A London police leadership group has been created with Anova, a newly formed sexual assault organization in London.
"London Police service has been very open to wanting to support survivors of sexual violence throughout the Criminal Justice System," said Jane McGregor, Director of Community Programs of Anova, in the statement issued to media by the police.
"More work is definitely needed and Anova is hopeful that using a community case review process will lead to necessary structural changes," the statement read. "Anova looks forward to continuing to work with the London Police Service to implement changes that support survivors."
Pare said no further comments will be made as it's an "active review and ongoing process."