MSU Police Chief James Dunlap: Remarks from press conference, Feb. 22, 2017

I want to sincerely thank the Attorney General, Assistant Attorneys General Angela Povilaitis and Robyn Liddell and MSU Police D/Sgt. Andrea Munford for their dedication and countless hours in investigating and preparing the Larry Nassar cases for prosecution. That is the purpose of our press conference today and nothing should overshadow the efforts to secure some measure of justice for the survivors subjected to abuse.

I do need to address the concerns raised in the media regarding whether or not the Michigan State University Police Department should be investigating the Nassar cases. While I recognize the optics of issues, I do not agree with the concept of perception being reality. In law enforcement, reality is reality. We continue to work with our partners in the FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office and the State Attorney General.

I want to assure you, and most importantly, the survivors, that we are all conducting a thorough and impartial investigation. The MSU Police Department consists of 85 officers who have all received specialized training in victim centered/trauma focused investigations, including the neurobiology of trauma. The MSU Police Department has a Special Victims Unit with full-time detectives assigned to cases such as the Nassar investigation. We work with local resources that are specific to sexual abuse and child abuse. Through these partnerships, we are able to provide additional resources to victims.

We also have a Digital Forensics and Cyber Crime Unit which handles digital evidence, and other agencies frequently seek out our assistance due to the resources available at our department that other agencies may not have.

To date, the MSU Police Department is investigating more than 80 reported sexual assault cases against Nassar. We have compiled over 600 pages of investigative reports, executed multiple search warrants, compiled and reviewed thousands of supporting documents and interviewed nearly 300 people. As a result of those investigations, 28 felony charges and indictments have been secured.

From the MSU Police Department, there have been as many as 17 investigators, digital forensics detectives and a crime analyst assigned to these cases. More importantly, we have assigned 10 trained Special Victims Unit investigators from our department who specialize in these types of cases. All findings from these investigations have been or will be turned over to the Attorney General or U.S. Attorney for review and prosecution.

Our priority and that of the Attorney General is getting justice for the survivors. Doing that correctly takes a great deal of time and effort, and we are all determined to make certain that occurs.

We continue to receive new reports and information. Anyone who may be a victim or who has information regarding this case is asked to contact the Michigan State University Police Department’s toll-free tip line at: 844-99-MSUPD (844-99-67873).

Thank you.
James Dunlap
Chief of Police, Michigan State University Police Department