Four workers at the Air Force Academy’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office have been suspended amid a monthlong investigation that leaders of the school won’t discuss.

Academy spokesman Lt. Col. Allen Herritage said undisclosed “issues” triggered a probe ordered by academy leaders. The investigation involves an academy office that school Superintendent Lt. Gen Michelle Johnson and others have held up as a national example for how colleges can care for sexual assault victims while educating students through prevention programs.

“That investigation lasted over a month and involved dozens of interviews,” Herritage said in an email. “At this time, due to the fact that review of the investigation and related processes are still ongoing, as well as privacy concerns of those involved, we cannot discuss details or findings of the investigation.”

A source familiar with details of the investigation, but was not authorized to speak to the media, told The Gazette that four full-time staff members of the six-person office were suspended. The source said Johnson told academy leaders she had “lost faith” in the office’s ability to care for victims. Herritage confirmed that an undisclosed number of staff members “are no longer performing” sexual assault prevention and response work. The colonel said he couldn’t say how many, because disclosing the number of staffers relieved of their duties could reveal identities.

Read the full story at gazette.com.



