Over 4,000 sexual assault cases were included in the suspensions.

According to Houston Police Department Chief Troy Finner, the Houston Police Department has suspended 264,000 criminal cases since 2016. This includes more than 4,500 sex abuse cases. The reason given was a code based on “lack personnel”.

The Houston Chronicle reported that Finner revealed on Monday that a review of how the department used the “lack-of-staff” code in the last eight years showed that it suspended 10% of 2.8 million reports of incidents. Houston Police Department revealed last week just over 4,000 alleged sexual assault cases had been suspended due to “lack personnel.” This prompted a closer examination of how the code is used across all divisions within the department.

Finner, the police chief, expressed his frustration with his department’s suspension of sex assaults last week. He said that the code was created around ten year ago and used to label reports as “suspended because of a lack personnel.” Finner first learned of this code in 2021. He ordered his department not to use it. Finner said that a probe is being conducted to find out why his order wasn’t followed.

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“Am I proud of this?” Finner told Fox 26 Houston that he was angry because he knew they were better and would make things right. “We’re still short of officers and some say we need 2,000 more, so we try our best, but it is not enough if we don’t investigate sexual assaults,” said Finner.

HPD released a press release on Monday to discuss its findings regarding the “lack” of use of the personnel code. According to the police, of the 264,000 cases suspended, approximately 100,000 involved property crimes. Houston PD has announced that it will be focusing on sexual assault reports.

The statement stated that “our efforts to review reports of sexual assault incidents and contact potential victim continue.” We are moving more personnel to other divisions of investigation to deal with these reports of crimes against people.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire called the cases suspended “inacceptable.”

“I am concerned. Whitmire, a Democrat, said, “It is unacceptable. I have ordered Chief Finner, to be transparent, and to continue his review on a priority basis.” “Public safety remains my top priority.”

Houston is the biggest city in Texas, and the fourth-largest city in the United States. Houston, like many other cities in the United States, has struggled with a shortage of police officers over the last few years.

HPD had 342 fewer officers in April last year than 25 years earlier, even though the city population increased over the same period of time, from 1.9 millions in 2000 to 2.3million by 2021. According to the Houston Chronicle, in 25 years there were 334 residents for every officer. Last year that ratio was 461 residents.