TPD Receives $2.5M in Grant Funding from the Department of Justice to Further Investigate Sexual Assault Kits

TULSA, Okla. - Today, U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson, City of Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols, and Tulsa Police Chief Dennis Larsen proudly announced a $2.5M grant from the National Sexual Kit Initiative.

The grant will allow the Tulsa Police Department to continue working on the prosecution of unsolved sexual assault cases. This is critical to enhancing the response to sexual assaults and ensuring justice for victims. This funding will not only help link victims with advocates and services but also help implement best practices to prosecute offenders and increase public safety.

The National Sexual Kit Initiative is finding that a significant number of people who have committed multiple violent sexual assaults are being linked to other unsubmitted kits. Not only are those people committing sexual assaults, but they are frequently responsible for homicides and other violent offenses.

"This essential funding allows victims of sexual assault to receive long-awaited justice," said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. "My hope is that this grant will enable the Tulsa Police Department to reopen unsolved cases and help the survivors of sexual assault move forward with closure."

"Even with the strides made by the Tulsa Police Department in recent years to address cold cases and previously untested rape kits, there is more work to be done as we seek to do right by our neighbors and for the victims of these senseless crimes," Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols said. "I spent my career in the legislature working to ensure we ended the backlog on rape kit testing and I'm committed to doing so as mayor. Having the funding to be able to continue this testing will help us solve some of the most underreported crimes in Tulsa and make sure victims get the justice they deserve while removing these predators off our streets. I'm thankful for the U.S. Department of Justice for its help in making this a funding priority, and I'm eager to work with the Tulsa Police Department as we set the bar high and do all that we can to combat sexually based crimes in our community."

Chief Dennis Larsen said, "This $2.5 million grant from the Department of Justice is a critical step forward in our commitment to justice for sexual assault survivors. It will enable us to process backlogged kits, potentially solve cold cases, and provide closure to victims who have waited far too long for answers. This funding not only supports our efforts to enhance the efficiency of our forensic services but also reinforces our resolve to ensure that no stone is left unturned in seeking justice."

In total, the Department of Justice, through its Office of Justice Programs, is awarding more than $4.4 billion in grants across the country. This funding will support state, local, and community-based efforts and evidence-based interventions that reduce violence, crime, and recidivism.

"BJA is pleased to award new SAKI funding to the city of Tulsa in support of its efforts to address unsubmitted sexual assault kits and to advance improvements in addressing sexually motivated crimes," said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. "This funding will prioritize the voices of victims and survivors, while providing essential resources to advance investigations into cold cases."

More information about this award and other OJP awards can be found on the OJP FY24 Grant Awards site.

About the Office of Justice Programs

The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation's capacity to prevent and reduce crime; advance equity and fairness in the administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.