Ex-NIU police officer pleads not guilty to rape

A former Northern Illinois University police officer accused of sexually assaulting a student in October 2011 has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Andrew Rifkin entered the plea Wednesday and asked the court to note previous court rulings, including one that found NIU police intentionally withheld evidence favorable to him.

Last year, DeKalb County prosecutors dropped felony charges against the 25-year-old Rifkin after questions arose about whether the police department suppressed information in the case. Rifkin was accused of sexually assaulting a female student with whom he had a relationship.

The (DeKalb) Daily Chronicle reported State’s Attorney Richard Schmack, who took office in December, said he reinstated the charge against Rifkin after learning former State’s Attorney Clay Campbell did not consult the alleged victim before dropping the charge.