(File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo Inc. / airdone)
(File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo Inc. / airdone)
Sarnia

City Police Say Due Diligence Followed In Sex Assault Investigations

Sarnia police say each report of sexual assault is handled with due diligence on a case by case basis.

Constable John Sottosanti makes the comment in reaction to a nationwide Globe and Mail investigation that found 22% of sexual assault allegations reported to the Sarnia Police Service between 2010 and 2014 were categorized as "unfounded."

The national rate is 19%.

Sottosanti says the analysis takes the average over four years, and that some years could be lower or higher. He says the priority for the Sarnia police is to ensure everyone is treated fairly, especially the victim.

"As a department, we're not there to play with numbers in regards to say we have to get our numbers down," says Sottosanti. "We have to look at the information we have before us and if it means looking at each case individually and making sure that we've done everything, we will do that. But, we're not going to jeopardize a victim or a suspect, just to drop a percentage down."

Sottosanti says routinely, investigations of sexual assault are reviewed several times.

"We have to take that information and go through it, it's mandated by us. We can't simply throw it away. I know that these numbers seem to be the big push right now with the Globe and Mail article. I can only speak on behalf of the Sarnia Police Service, what I know from my past experience and having spoken to the chief and the staff sergeant in charge of our Criminal Investigation Department -- we do have a chain that we follow to go through."

The Globe and Mail reported the number of cases deemed unfounded by Lambton County OPP was 28%.

The commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police announced Wednesday the force will review about 4,000 sexual assault investigation reports designated as "unfounded."

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