WASHINGTON – D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier says a law firm’s upcoming report vindicates the police department’s handling of sexual assault complaints.

Lanier said in a statement Wednesday that the report’s findings “mirrored our own” and “reinforced our conclusions” that an earlier study was flawed.

The report from Crowell & Moring LLP is scheduled to be presented Thursday before the D.C. Council, which has scheduled a round-table discussion on the findings.

The report is expected to include a series of recommendations, including that an external adviser be used to determine whether reforms are properly implemented.

The report comes in response to a study this year from Human Rights Watch, which concluded that police had failed to investigate a large percentage of sexual assault complaints. Lanier has criticized the group’s research and methodology.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.