HPD staff undergo mandatory training at Houston Area Women’s Center amid suspended scandal

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Houston Police Department is still reviewing and reassigning the quarter of a million incident reports suspended.

At a news conference Thursday, Commander Elizabeth Lorenzana of HPD’s Special Victims Division said that of the more than 9,000 cases that fall under her department’s jurisdiction, including suspended sexual assault reports, they have not as crime reports to be finished examining.

“Investigations that need to be assigned to follow-up investigations are assigned to adult sex crimes investigators,” Lorenzana said.

In late April, Houston police announced they had completed an internal review of the controversial suspension code, but the next day, the independent police oversight board I sent it back saying more was needed.

ABC13 asked HPD Thursday when the new review would be released, but police did not have an estimated date.

Mayor John Whitmire’s review committee also recently released a list of recommendations aimed at improving outcomes for victims and preventing similar scandals. One of the recommendations was mandatory training for Houston Area Women’s Center for the Special Victims Division.

“There are systematic problems that HPD needs to address,” said HAWC CEO Emilee Whitehurst.

Some HPD employees took the 55 hour training for years, but it is now mandatory to hire more staff. The first round of training will take place in June, which is the first step of many that will need to be taken.

“The solution will be a longer-term process, so I think our role here today is to reinforce to the community at large that HPD’s responsibility also involves true collaboration,” Whitehurst said.

Houston also does not have a permanent police chief after Troy Finner retired. Larry Satterwhite is the acting leader.

On Thursday, the mayor said he was reviewing candidates and talking with the police department as he searches for a full-time replacement. There’s no real timetable for when we’ll know who it is, but Whitmire said it would be sooner rather than later.

Any victims whose contact information has changed since the time of their report can call (713) 308-1180 or email [email protected].

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