U.S. Attorney Clinton J. Johnson | U.S. Department of Justice
Today, the Tulsa Police Department received a significant boost in its efforts to address unsolved sexual assault cases. A $2.5 million grant from the National Sexual Kit Initiative was announced by U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson, City of Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols, and Tulsa Police Chief Dennis Larsen.
The funding aims to enhance the prosecution of unsolved sexual assault cases and improve responses to such crimes, ensuring justice for victims. It will help connect victims with advocates and services while implementing best practices for prosecuting offenders.
The National Sexual Kit Initiative has identified that many individuals linked to multiple violent sexual assaults are also connected to other unsubmitted kits. These individuals are often responsible for homicides and other violent offenses.
U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson emphasized the importance of this funding, stating, “This essential funding allows victims of sexual assault to receive long-awaited justice.” He expressed hope that the grant would enable reopening unsolved cases and provide closure for survivors.
Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols acknowledged the progress made by the Tulsa Police Department in addressing cold cases but noted more work is needed. "Having the funding to be able to continue this testing will help us solve some of the most underreported crimes in Tulsa," he said.
Chief Dennis Larsen highlighted the impact of the grant on processing backlogged kits and solving cold cases. "This $2.5 million grant from the Department of Justice is a critical step forward in our commitment to justice for sexual assault survivors," he stated.
The Department of Justice is distributing over $4.4 billion in grants nationwide through its Office of Justice Programs, supporting efforts that reduce violence, crime, and recidivism.
BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore commented on the new SAKI funding: “This funding will prioritize the voices of victims and survivors while providing essential resources to advance investigations into cold cases.”
More details about this award can be found on the OJP FY24 Grant Awards site.
