MISSOULA- Several rape allegations that have recently come to light around Missoula and on the University of Montana have prompted some to wonder if the Missoula Police Department is doing all it can to investigate these cases.

Karry Barrett stood up and told the Public Safety and Health Committee on Wednesday that she was sexually assaulted in September. She said no charges were ever filed in her case and questioned whether she should have reported the crime in the first place.

She did speak to a female Missoula Police detective, but Barrett said she didn't feel enough was done.
"She said that it was a 'he said, she said case', so there's probably going to be no prosecution, but hopefully we could just scare him."

Barrett is one of many Missoulians who are questioning the police department's training and investigation process into rapes.

Missoula Police Chief Mark Muir told those attending Wednesday's discussion that he wants to improve communication and also teach his officers to relate more to the victims.

"They need to treat individuals in the way that they would want to be treated under the exact same circumstances and that's a tough thing to do sometimes-to remove yourself from your position as an investigator," Muir commented.

Muir also wants to implement a new policy by mid-March. "We want to provide out officers with a better direction."

He also wants the policy to give officers a compass to help steer the investigation.

But some of the people who attended the forum also said that they are concerned that the Missoula County Attorney's Office isn't prosecuting enough rape cases.

Missoula County Attorney Fred Van Valkenburg says a rape victim knows the suspect in 90 to 95 percent of the time.

"Essentially the prosecution is required to prove a negative- that is that the victim in the crime did not give a consent to the sexual intercourse," he explained.

Muir also said during the meeting that the date rape drugs reportedly used in some of the reported rapes are not roofies. He pointed out that alcohol has similar effects, especially if a person binge drinks.

The Missoula Police Department has reviewed rape case data from the last two years and detectives are now taking another look at two cases where Muir feels more can be done.