Springfield Police Department accused of destroying rape kits in CNN report

In a Nov. 29 article called "Where police failed rape victims," CNN reports on Springfield Police Department's tactics in rape cases.

CNN reporters reviewed nearly 200 investigations since 2010. In those cases, police destroyed rape kits, and in at least 108, they did so before the statutes of limitations had expired or when there wasn't a limit to prosecute the crimes, according to the report.

CNN indicated it brought on "seasoned sex crime investigators, police trainers and lawyers" to examine case files across the nation for the media outlet. The Springfield Police Department, according to CNN, stood out because of the volume of rape kits destroyed and the speed in which they were destroyed.

In a statement issued yesterday, Springfield Police Department Chief Paul Williams acknowleded past improper practices but said CNN did not use information it was provided showing how the department now operates.

“As law enforcement professionals, we are constantly looking for ways to improve. Over the past several years, we have taken [an] active role to make changes to alleviate the issue of sexual violence within our community, and to better serve victims, and we will continue to do so in the years to come,” Williams said in the statement.

Read more from CNN.