HOUSTON – Mayor John Whitmire is making his position clear to KPRC 2 Investigates as to what he expects from the Houston Police Department’s internal affairs probe into why sexual assault cases were being suspended for years citing a lack of personnel.
“We want it to be done right,” said Whitmire.
The investigation has been ongoing for nearly four months after former HPD Chief Troy Finner revealed it.
Finner abruptly retired in early May hours after a 2018 email involving Finner clearly showed sex assault cases being suspended three years before he told Houstonians he first became aware of the routine practice. The email only played a part in his resignation according to the Mayor but also the letter KPRC 2 Investigates exposed by Executive Assistant Chief Chandra Hatcher that helped launch the investigation.
The letter to Chief Finner raised questions over Hatcher’s integrity as she claimed to be at a key HPD meeting in 2021 where the practice of suspending cases was discussed, however, sources confirm Hatcher was in fact out of town. Her absence from that meeting was highlighted during a meeting to discuss what had been a completed investigation. However, after the revelation, Internal Affairs was required to open the investigation again.
When KPRC 2 Investigates asked interim chief Larry Satterwhite about Hatcher’s status and the allegations over her actions he did not hold back.
“I think we have to wait and see how she explains that,” said Satterwhite.
However, it’s been over a month since Chief Satterwhite made those comments. Last Wednesday we asked Whitmire about Hatcher’s status, “There is investigations going on. There will be a full report. It will be transparent; there will be people held accountable,” said Whitmire who added, “I will share with the public, and Houstonians everything I know and so will my review group.”
As the Internal Affairs investigation continues, KPRC 2 Investigates speaks with one mental health expert as well as the Forensic Center of Excellence to see the impact this reopened investigation can have on the victims as well as additional personnel and spacing made for more forensic interviews to be conducted involving those whose cases were suspended.
Whitmire said he expects Internal Affairs to complete its investigation by July 1st. HPD also confirmed that date to KPRC 2 Investigates.
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