Bill could require Phoenix PD to use state system to track rape kits
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Phoenix Police could soon be required to participate in a program that allows survivors to track where their rape kits are.
They’re the only law enforcement agency in the state not using the program, even though it would be free.
Under Track-Kit, each rape kit would get a barcode. Survivors can then log into the system, day or night, and see specifically where their kit is.
A bill, HB 2581, that would mandate that it be used made it through the Arizona House Judiciary Committee Wednesday.
“This is the victim that the system should be protecting,” said Jenna Panas, the chief executive officer of the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence.
Panas shared the story of a teen who waited more than a year for the results of her rape kit to come back.
“18 months; can you imagine waiting for your kit for 18 months?” Panas asked the House committee.
That’s how long she said it took for that kit to come back.
“She should be thinking about cute boys, what grades in school she’s getting, she’s thinking about justice,” she continued.
Instead of logging into Track-Kit, the survivor has to call the detective investigating the case to find out where the kit is.
The state pays for the program and the findings go to the Department of Public Safety, which tracks it.
Back in November, Arizona’s Family Investigates sat down with Phoenix Police, who defended their decision not to implement Track-Kit.
“We have our own process, and I get, I get the notion of wanting to see where your kit is at all times,” Phoenix Police Sgt. Rob Scherer said at the time.
Phoenix said they’re creating their own system, explaining it would be redundant to implement Track-Kit.
But their system keeps getting delayed.
“This has been three years in the making. We’ve gone over this with the city of Phoenix Police Department twice,” said Rep. Selina Bliss, a Republican from Prescott, who is a sponsor of the bill. “There’s still no reason they can’t run their program, but they need to be in the program everyone else is using.”
There’s also an accountability component. Track-Kit reports data to the Department of Public Safety, providing information on how many kits still need to be tested.
But Phoenix Police seems to be coming around.
At the hearing, a representative spoke out in favor of the bill.
HB 2581 passed the committee in 8-0 vote with one representative being absent and now heads to the House floor.
Rep. Bliss and advocates point out there’s bipartisan support, so they’re hopeful it will pass.
In response to our questions, Phoenix Police sent us the following statement:
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