Houston police investigation into suspended sexual assault cases not complete by mayor’s July 1 deadline

HOUSTON – On Monday, the Houston Police Department failed to meet Mayor John Whitmire’s goal.

The Internal Affairs investigation into why more than 4,000 sexual assault cases were put on hold due to staffing shortages remains incomplete, though Houston Mayor John Whitmire told KPRC 2 Investigates last month that he expected it to be completed by “July 1.”

In a brief phone call Monday morning, Mayor Whitmire told KPRC 2 Investigates that HPD still needs “a few more days” to complete the investigation.

Late in the afternoon, HPD revealed that the investigative process was complete, but the investigation still needed to be reviewed through the proper channels and then presented to Interim Chief Larry Satterwhite.

“At some point it has to be done and to the extent that it hasn’t been done, it’s a mistake,” said KPRC 2 legal analyst Brian Wice.

As we previously reported in early May, the investigation was reopened after integrity concerns arose surrounding a letter written by Executive Assistant Chief Chandra Hatcher to former Chief Troy Finner. Hatcher’s letter contained allegations that triggered the Internal Affairs investigation.

“If this is what set this investigation back, it will be another black eye for the Houston elite,” Wice said.

The case was reopened nearly 60 days ago and specifically focused on Hatcher’s allegations that she attended a meeting where the practice of suspending sexual assault cases was first introduced. Department sources confirmed to KPRC 2 Investigates that she never attended the meeting and was out of town. At her first press conference as acting chief, Satterwhite said that was something Hatcher would have to explain.

What does Wice think about trying to identify a person’s presence at a meeting?

“This is not quantum physics, this is not rocket science. Look at your calendar, look at your Google app. You were either there or you weren’t, and if you weren’t, that’s okay. But the fact that it took this long to try to figure out whether or not you attended a meeting is, in my opinion, unconscionable,” Wice said.

What does the Houston Police Union say about the delay?

“I think this should have been resolved by now, but I believe there are inner workings that we don’t know about that will eventually come to light and we will have a conclusion to this matter,” said HPOU President Doug Griffith.

The reopening of the investigation following Hatcher’s letter is having an impact on department morale, the union says.

“For the most part, they’re looking at it from the outside and saying, ‘Wait a minute, have we lied about something at home right now?’ But we have a command staff that’s out there that has allegedly, because again, the report isn’t complete, made false statements,” Griffith said.

KPRC 2 investigators asked if Acting Chief Satterwhite provided a statement letter or spoke to investigators.

The ministry said it was its duty not to comment on an ongoing Internal Affairs investigation.