Recent investigations have revealed alarming discrepancies in the way the State College Police Department reported rape cases from 2013 to 2021. According to a thorough inquiry by Spotlight PA, only 67 rape cases were officially documented by the department during this period, while the actual number of incidents was shockingly higher at 321, resulting in a gap of 254 cases.
Misclassification of Rape Cases
The investigation discovered that numerous rape incidents had been reported as lesser “sex offenses.” The classification not only carries reduced penalties but is also treated with less urgency by law enforcement. Lila Slovak, director at the Women’s Law Project in Philadelphia, underscored the critical implications of this outdated reporting method.
Federal Guidelines Ignored
The State College Police Department admitted to using this outdated definition of rape until late 2022, despite the federal government updating its definition in 2012. This revised definition, which thousands of other police agencies adopted in subsequent years, broadened the understanding of what constitutes rape.
Community Impact
Accurate crime statistics are crucial in shaping community safety and resource allocation. In college towns like State College, where a significant number of students reside off-campus, these figures are even more pivotal. Police Chief John Gardner and his predecessor, Tom King, both failed to recognize the changes in the reporting standards for years, leading to a significant underreporting of sexual assaults.
Causative Factors
- Outdated definitions and procedures used until late 2022
- Lack of awareness of federal reporting standards
- Miscommunication within the department
Consequences of Data Discrepancies
The inaccurate account of sexual assault incidents has far-reaching effects. It undermines public trust in law enforcement and can deter victims from coming forward. Criminologist Eli B. Silverman noted that a lack of credibility in crime statistics results in decreased community cooperation with police.
Previous Reporting Standards
The former definition of rape was narrowly defined and excluded various forms of sexual violence. This led to misleading crime statistics, further complicating public awareness and response to sexual assault issues.
Internal Reforms and Acknowledgment
Following the investigation, Police Chief Gardner expressed a commitment to transparency. He acknowledged the inaccuracies and stated the department’s intention to correct the reporting process moving forward. “The minute we found out about it, we made the correction,” Gardner said, emphasizing an open dialogue about these issues.
Calls for Improvement
Experts assert that accurate crime data must be a priority for law enforcement agencies. As the university community continues to rely on these statistics for safety and resource allocation, ensuring that reports reflect true incidents of sexual assault is imperative.
This situation highlights the urgent need for law enforcement agencies to adhere to updated definitions and procedures to foster public confidence and effectively address sexual violence in communities like State College.
