Results Of FWPD Investigative Units Audit To Be Released
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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - The Fort Worth Police Department is taking a hard look at one area of the department after at least one questionable move by a veteran detective. Chief Joel Fitzgerald called for a top to bottom review of every investigative unit back in June. The results of that audit are expected today.
For nearly three months, an 11-member task force has been looking into nine investigative units... as a precaution. The task force includes six Crimes Against Children detectives, three Special Investigations detectives, and two investigators from the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office.
The move for the review came after Chief Fitzgerald learned a detective in the Crimes Against Children unit might have mishandled cases as far back as 10 years ago. A new abuse case, involving at least one child victim, uncovered a pattern by the suspect dating back to 2006.
A police spokesperson said the detective who knew about the abuse never pursued an arrest. After another investigator took over the case the suspect was arrested and charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child.
The detective whose actions prompted the self-review by the department, and who has not been identified, was reassigned, is no longer investigating as the department investigates whether he violated department policy.
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