Cuyahoga County Law Enforcement Exploring Sexual Assault Policy Changes
Posted 12/9/2011 3:31pm
Nearly 100 representatives from more than 50 police departments attended the Cuyahoga County Police Chiefs Summit on Sex Crimes Policy on December 8 at the Medical Examiner’s Office in Cleveland. County Executive Ed FitzGerald called for the Summit to discuss developing a uniform sex crimes policy throughout the County. Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) is proud to be a partner in this effort, along with the Cuyahoga County Police Chiefs Association.
“This is a beginning step to creating a best practice for the entire county and becoming a leader nationwide in sex crime policy for law enforcement, hopefully creating a more supportive climate for survivors,” said Megan O’Bryan, CRCC President and CEO. “We thank County Executive Ed FitzGerald and the Police Chiefs Association for their leadership on this issue.”
Executive Ed FitzGerald greeted the group and discussed the importance of collaboration and having good policies in place. Presentations followed from CRCC’s Megan O’Bryan and Dan Clark. The event ended with a panel discussion with Chiefs from departments which currently have stand-alone sex crimes policies.
Survivor Imani Capri shared her personal story with the audience and explained the importance of having a compassionate detective working on her case and helping her through a traumatic and trying time.
“You are in a position of tremendous influence. In your role of working with a survivor, you are in a position to help that person have a break -through that will resonate and ripple in that person’s life in more ways than either of you may know,” Capri said as she addressed the crowd. “You are in a privileged position of being able to usher that person in finding his or her voice and in exercising courage; a courage that can ultimately change our society –one person at a time.”
More than a third of those in attendance agreed to take the next step in this ongoing process. They signed up to be part of a group which will work to create the model policy.
