Sexual assault charge against officer kept quiet

    Tyrone Wiggins was charged November 19th of this year, accused of raping and assaulting an underage girl over an eight year period.

    The Philadelphia Police Department is apologizing for not making public the arrest of a former officer on sexual assault charges following a multi-year investigation.

    Listen:
    [audio: 091222tmpolice.mp3]

    Tyrone Wiggins was charged November 19th of this year, accused of raping and assaulting an underage girl over an eight year period. Police spokesman Lieutenant Frank Vanore says there wasn’t a formal announcement in the case because Wiggins had resigned from the force.

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    Vanore: Well, that was an oversight on the department’s fault. The investigation was complete, the case had been given over to the district attorney. The district attorney made a decision in late November to charge, this male surrendered on his own. There was no attempt to cover anything up. It was done by the book.

    The Recreation Department also wasn’t notified, even though Wiggins volunteered at a recreation center, giving free karate lessons.

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