SJPD Awarded Federal Grant for Testing of Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Kits

MEDIA ADVISORY

In October of 2020, the SJPD Sexual Assaults Unit completed a self-initiated internal audit of the Department’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) kits in its possession. The audit determined that there were 655 cases from 1986 to October 1, 2018, that had not been tested and remained in the possession of the Department’s Property and Evidence Unit.

Although the majority of these untested SAFE kits were associated to cases in which the investigation resulted in a conviction without physical evidence, or instances when the complainant requested to drop the matter or otherwise recanted statements, SJPD immediately submitted all SAFE kits in the Department’s Property and Evidence Unit to the Santa Clara County Crime Lab for testing. Additionally, new internal policy was implemented to address tracking systems and retention of SAKs.

Due to a lack of funding, the Department sought out grant opportunities to address the backlog of SAFE kits. In December 2021, SJPD was awarded $1,425,000 from the federal Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) under the 2021 National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative.

"I am thankful to the Federal Bureau of Justice Assistance for their generous investment in San José Police Department's mission to cut down the backlog of untested sexual assault kits," said Mayor Sam Liccardo. "This influx of crucial resources will help our law enforcement deliver justice to perpetrators of sexual assault and, just as importantly, closure to survivors."

Chief of Police Anthony Mata said, “We are extremely thankful to our Federal and local partners for this funding. The San José Police Department is committed to helping survivors with reporting and thoroughly investigating these cases as well as working with community service agency partners and mandatory reporters to provide resources and document any and all reports of sexual abuse or assault. This funding will support that commitment and will allow us to exam evidence beyond what is mandated.”