A Spotlight PA investigation revealed that the State College Police Department underreported rape incidents between 2013 and 2021. The department initially logged 67 rapes but an internal review later identified 321 — an omission of 254 cases, nearly 80 percent. Officials say the error resulted from continued use of a pre-2013, narrower definition of rape and that the department learned of the FBI’s updated definition during 2022 training. The department updated its reporting but did not disclose the multi-year undercount until the story ran.
Investigation: State College Police Underreported Rapes by Nearly 80% Over Eight Years
Brickbat: Grossly Underrepresented
A Spotlight PA investigation found that the State College Police Department substantially underreported rape incidents in its public crime statistics between 2013 and 2021. While the department originally reported just 67 rapes to state and federal authorities during that period, an internal review later acknowledged a total of 321 cases — an omission of 254 reports, or almost 80 percent.
What Happened
Officials attributed the discrepancy to the department's continued use of an older, narrower legal definition of rape after the FBI broadened that definition in 2013 to include additional forms of sexual assault. The department says it only became aware of the FBI's change when a supervisor received training in 2022. Police leaders maintain the undercount was unintentional.
Disclosure And Access
Although the department updated its reporting after discovering the issue, it did not publicly disclose the years-long undercount until Spotlight PA published its story. Spotlight PA also said it could not determine whether other factors contributed to the undercount because the police department refused requests to review investigative files.
Implications
The discrepancy raises questions about historical crime statistics, public transparency, and trust between the community and law enforcement. Accurate crime reporting is essential for victims, policymakers, campus safety planning, and public accountability.
Spotlight PA: The news outlet that uncovered the discrepancy and reported that the department initially listed far fewer rapes than a later internal review concluded.
What Officials Say: Police officials have described the error as unintentional and have updated reporting practices, but their refusal to grant access to investigative files limited outside review of how the miscount occurred.
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