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Cincinnati Police Officer Accused of Mishandling Sexual Assault Investigations

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A Cincinnati police officer, Christopher Schroder, 52, has been suspended with pay pending an investigation by the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office over allegations that he mishandled DNA specimens collected in rape kits. Schroder, a 22-year veteran of the force, had been with the Cincinnati Police Department's Personal Crimes Squad since 2007. An internal audit by the department discovered new information about Schroder's record over the summer, leading to his suspension in August for allegedly ignoring DNA specimens in sexual assault cases. Schroder's attorney, Mike Allen, claims that the inquiry involves only three cases, while prosecutors suggest that as many as 1,000 cases over a decade may be reviewed as a result of the investigation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Christopher Schroder, a 52-year-old Cincinnati police officer, has been suspended with pay pending an investigation into allegations that he mishandled DNA specimens in rape kits.
  • Schroder, a 22-year veteran of the force, had been with the Cincinnati Police Department's Personal Crimes Squad since 2007.
  • The investigation involves allegations that Schroder ignored DNA specimens collected in rape kits in three cases, but prosecutors suggest that as many as 1,000 cases over a decade may be reviewed as a result of the inquiry.
  • Schroder's attorney, Mike Allen, claims that the officer made a "serious mistake" and is a "good cop" who just needs to face the consequences.
  • Allen is pushing for Schroder to receive only probation, but prosecutors have not ruled out a longer sentence or potential charges related to the mishandled rape kits.
  • The Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office has stated that they will review all of Schroder's cases, including those that were reassigned after his suspension.
  • The investigation is ongoing, and prosecutors have not commented on potential charges or the status of Schroder's plea deal.
  • The Cincinnati Police Department has announced that they will reopen all of Schroder's cases and reassign them to other officers.

Statistics:

  • Schroder has been a law enforcement officer for 27 years, with 22 years spent with the Cincinnati Police Department.
  • Schroder was suspended in August and is currently under investigation by the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office.
  • As many as 1,000 cases over a decade may be reviewed as a result of the inquiry, according to prosecutors.
  • Schroder's attorney claims that he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of dereliction of duty and faces a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.
  • Schroder will no longer be a member of the Cincinnati Police Department, according to his attorney.
  • In 2020, Virginia eliminated a backlog of nearly 2,700 untested rape kits that had sat on shelves for years in departments across the state.

Sources:

  • WXIX-TV
  • The Washington Post
  • Cincinnati Enquirer
  • Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office
  • Cincinnati Police Department

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