Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes issued a forceful apology to sex assault victims Tuesday as he took responsibility for the department’s failure to meet state deadlines for processing hundreds of sexual assault evidence kits.
“This is completely unacceptable where we are,” Noakes told the Fort Worth City Council, adding that sexual assault survivors have a right to be angry with his department.
"They are pissed off and they should be. I am pissed off. If this was my wife, my mother, my daughter, I would be,” Noakes said.
Earlier this month, NBC 5 Investigates revealed state records showing Fort Worth police had about 900 rape kits already past a 90-day state deadline and still awaiting full completion of the testing and analysis process.
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Our reporting found that more than 750 times over the last five years, state records show, the department also failed to submit kits for processing within the state-required 30-day submission deadline.
One woman who reported an assault, Latrice Godfrey, told NBC 5 how she waited 11 months before her kit was tested. NBC 5 Investigates's report about Godfrey’s case sparked anger and frustration among the city's top elected officials.
“I am almost shaking. I am just very unhappy with this information,” Fort Worth Mayor Pro Tem Gyna Bivens said, addressing the council Tuesday.
“I want to make no mistake that we have failed victims in our city. We have failed not just victims, but we have failed their loved ones”, said City Councilmember Elizabeth Beck.
Noakes told the council he and an assistant chief will personally manage the city’s crime lab until the evidence backlog is resolved.
Noakes said every option is on the table, including using more private contractors and hiring bonuses to fill five vacant lab positions, which police said have caused the delays. He said the department is also paying $4,000 incentives to current lab employees who are able to work extra hours and assist in analyzing test results and uploading them into the DNA database used to match evidence to known offenders.
Noakes said, just four days ago, the department shipped 190 kits to private labs as it works aggressively to clear the backlog of cases. He acknowledged that 116 of those kits are already over the 90-day deadline.
"I take full responsibility for the situation we are in right now, and I take full responsibility for getting this right,” said Noakes.
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker responded, telling the chief that if Fort Worth is going to have its own crime lab, it must be “best-in-class.”
“This crime lab has been a problem in the city of Fort Worth for 10 years and, I mention that chief because it's not just your problem, it is a management problem,” Parker said.
The mayor also paused to acknowledge Godfrey, who was in the audience Tuesday, for speaking out about the delays.
“It is unfortunate that it's taken a public outcry and a beautiful victim in Latrice Godfrey who is here today, to say, ‘Help me,’” Parker said.
Godfrey was joined at the meeting by Lavinia Masters, a sex assault survivor who is named on the 'Lavinia Masters Act', the state law that created the sex assault evidence testing deadlines.
As Godfrey and Masters left the meeting, they also received a personal apology in the hallway from the chief.
JUSTICE SHELVED
SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM RESOURCES
If you are a survivor or know of a survivor in need of professional assistance, there are resources available in the community. Here is a list of organizations that may be able to assist:
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN)
- Website: RAINN.org
- Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
- Offers 24/7 confidential support for survivors of sexual assault.
Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA)
- Website: taasa.org
- A resource for sexual assault survivors and advocates, offering legal support, training, and community-based programs.
- Website: texasadvocacyproject.org
Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center (DARCC)
- Website: dallasrapecrisis.org
- Provides advocacy, counseling, and legal assistance for survivors of sexual assault in the Dallas area.
Texas Legal Services Center
- Website: tlsc.org
- Provides pro bono legal services to victims of sexual assault, including help with protective orders and other legal matters.
Victim Support Services - Texas Department of Public Safety
- Website: dps.texas.gov
- Helps crime victims access compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs related to sexual assault.
The Women's Center
- Website: womenscentertc.org
- Hotline: 817-927-2737
- Offers hospital accompaniment for survivors of sexual assault and other violent crimes, counseling, assistance through the criminal justice process and legal services for sexual assault victims.
Safe Horizon
- Website: safehorizon.org
- Hotline: 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)
- Offers crisis counseling, support groups, and legal assistance.
End Rape on Campus (EROC)
- Website: endrapeoncampus.org
- Supports survivors of sexual violence in educational institutions and offers resources for reporting incidents.
National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC)
- Website: victimsofcrime.org
- Provides information and resources for victims of crime, including sexual assault.
Futures Without Violence
- Website: futureswithoutviolence.org
- Offers programs and resources aimed at ending violence against women and children.
The Joyful Heart Foundation
- Website: joyfulheartfoundation.org
- A nonprofit organization offering support, education, and advocacy for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.
