Peel Regional Police say an internal review of sexual assault cases labelled “unfounded” dating back to 2010 has found 273 cases that were incorrectly classified.
Peel police say the review was initiated in February following media reports that a large number of sexual assault cases in Canada were being classified as unfounded.
The force says a team of senior investigators examined a total of 4,180 sexual assault cases. Of those, 1,016 cases - 24.3 per cent - has originally been classified as unfounded.
Peel police say they have implemented a number of recommendations - including training on case classification practices and bi-annual audits of all unfounded sexual assault cases - since the review.
After a sexual assault investigation is closed, police are federally mandated classify a case into one of 15 categories.
The unfounded classification means the investigation determined that the reported offence did not occur, nor was it attempted and therefore no violations of the Criminal Code or other federal statute took place.
“I want to assure victims that we take every sexual assault complaint seriously,” chief Jennifer Evans said Friday in a release.
“We have enhanced our training, policies, and procedures and have strengthened our relationships with our community partners,” Evans said.