Memphis mayor directs police to test rape kits
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – Memphis Mayor AC Wharton has ordered police to begin testing all rape kits as soon as possible.
The Commercial Appeal (http://bit.ly/H0bxtN) reports Wharton said Monday that the move might help the city get more funding to aid it in reducing a backlog of kits.
Memphis officials approved some funding last month to begin testing.
The issue first came up in August when Memphis Police Department Director Toney Armstrong asked the council to approve a $500,000 grant that would pay for 2,226 kits to be screened. At the time, he said there were at least another 8,000 kits that hadn’t been tested.
The order Monday also calls for discussions on how to improve the treatment of rape victims.
