Photo: Alex Bierens de Haan / Getty Images News / Getty Images
The 4,017 sexual assault cases suspended or cleared since 2016 due to "lack of personnel" are just the tip of the iceberg in what has become a huge problem for the Houston Police Department.
Late Monday, HPD announced approximately 264,000 cases, approximately 10% of all of the departments cases over the last eight years, had been suspended across multiple HPD divisions for that same reason.
On social media, Chief Troy Finner said he would "hold a news briefing later this week to provide additional details."
When Finner launched the investigation last week, he said it was just sexual assault cases that were impacted, but that the problem could also exist in other departments. Our TV partner Channel Two reports that it has spread to the special victims, gang, family violence, auto thefts and vehicular crimes departments.
“This should have been caught somewhere in the higher level because nothing can be signed off on until the executive command staff takes a look at it,” HPOU President Doug Griffith told Channel Two. He admitted he was “stunned” over what we discovered.
In a statement to another local television station, Mayor John Whitmire said, "I am very concerned. It is unacceptable and I have instructed Chief Finner to be transparent and continue his review as a top priority. Public safety continues to be my highest priority."