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Panel Discussion Planned In Response To Sexual Assault Complaints in Casper

Casper Police Department Facebook page

The City of Casper has set up a community panel discussion regarding how police handle sexual assault complaints.

More than 30 women have accused the Casper Police Department of mishandling or neglecting reports of sexual assault.

Casper Police Chief Jim Wetzel announced the panel discussion at Tuesday’s city council meeting and said the hour-long panel is meant to inform and educate the public on the legal, investigative, prosecutorial, and victim services issues of sexual assault.

“One could easily argue that an hour is not nearly long enough to have that discussion, but we did want to establish a timeframe, and then we wanted to have at least another follow-up session, depending on the feedback and result of the discussions,” said Wetzel.

Wetzel said the second event is tentatively planned for May 18 and will serve as a discussion for solutions. The first event will take place April 6, from 7 to 8 pm at Durham Hall on Casper College’s campus.

Panel members will include Wetzel, Natrona County District Attorney, and personnel from the Casper Police Department Investigations and Victim Services, the Self-Help Center, the Children’s Advocacy Program, as well as the Wyoming Medical Center Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner coordinator. The panel will be moderated by the Dean of the School of Business and industry at Casper College, Dr. Lesley Travers.

Maggie Mullen is Wyoming Public Radio's regional reporter with the Mountain West News Bureau. Her work has aired on NPR, Marketplace, Science Friday, and Here and Now. She was awarded a 2019 regional Edward R. Murrow Award for her story on the Black 14.
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