London police 'tone deaf' to sexual assault victims, former officer says

A former London police officeris accusing the head of the city's force of being"disingenuous" and "tone-deaf" in his response to sexual assault cases that were deemed "unfounded."

London police Chief John Pare told CBC's London Morning that an internal review of 690 sexual assault allegations found to be without merit when theywere initially investigated between 2010 to 2014 were handled correctly.

• Internal police review finds no problems with sex assault cases deemed 'unfounded'

The findings, Pare explained, followan internal police review conducted by the London police.

"I think we as a public should be pressing for an external review to make sure that the external review comes to the same conclusions as the internal review did," said Lesley Bikos, a former London police officer and now a PhD student in sociology who studies police culture.

Bikos believes perception is paramount in this situation,adding women in the community need reassurance following reports that London had the highest rate of "unfounded"sexual assault complaints in Canada.

"You want the community of women you serve to feel confidentthat your officers and your processes are gong to take them seriously. I don't think London police coming out and saying 'We've done an internal review, everything is fine' is going to instill that confidence," said Bikos.

A Globe and Mail investigation found London officers classified 30 per cent of sexual assault allegations between 2010 and 2014 as "unfounded"meaning that officers believedno crime was attempted or occurred.

The national unfounded rate was 20 per cent.

Pare said the cases were reviewed and that none would be reopened.

Administrative review

The review of London's "unfounded"cases was mostly administrative explains AnnaLise Trudellwith London's newly formed sexual assault organization Anova.

"I can see how thatdoesn't feel particularly re-assuring, if you're one of those 690 women," she said.

"I don't know if we knew it was only going to be administrative but it's important for people to know that we are moving forward. We're working collaboratively with the police service."

Changes to police practice

London police have been working with groups that advocate for victims of sexual violence, including Anova and the London Abused Women's Centre, to figure out how to change police practice.

One possibility is implementing a version of the Philadelphia Case Review Model for sexual assault cases, which gives community groups access to sexual assault investigation files for ongoing review. In the true Philadelphia model, the groups can also recommend charges.

Pare said the London model will likely look different.

"We're definitely looking at if that model would work here, but I'm not sure if all of it would work," he told London Morning.

Sexual assault investigators on the force have worked with outside educators to learn how trauma impacts reporting and investigations, said Trudell.

She adds women whose cases were deemed "unfounded"can contact Anova, who will advocate on their behalf.