Hi, there, ladies (Please, don't take offense.  I mean it respectfully, in the traditional "ladies and gentlemen" sense.)

You have a very valid point. An outside team is necessary for transparency.  No question.  The Philly method has its validity, too.  Especially if the investigating team is gender-neutral, composed of men and women. 

But THIS statement has no validity: "Internal review allows police departments to characterize the problem as simply one of data mismanagement. They re-classify cases previously in the “unfounded” box to “insufficient evidence to proceed.” 
That's not "mismanagement." It's clarity. To scoff and sneer "mismanagement" means you don't understand--or want to acknowledge--that clarity. It's clear they aren't "blaming the victim," either.  Three cheers, I say.

"While the new label might alleviate distress for women who report rape..." 
Nonsense.  I doubt that "insufficient evidence" will alleviate ANY woman's distress.  Would it alleviate yours?