( CNN ) -- The mayor of a Montana college town Wednesday welcomed a federal investigation into allegations that sexual assault and rape complaints were improperly handled . But John Engen , mayor since 2006 , was also surprised when he was notified of the probe . `` This is uncharted territory for us , '' he told CNN . The U.S. Justice Department announced Tuesday it was launching a probe into allegations that up to 80 complaints of sexual assault over three years were not investigated thoroughly because of gender bias . Of those , 11 cases involved students at the University of Montana -- at least two involving football players . `` If Justice has enough information that it believes an investigation is warranted , I 'm not going to question that , '' Engen said . `` Clearly they have a responsibility to act on whatever complaints they are hearing . I think time will tell whether this was the right call or not . '' Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez of the Justice Department 's Civil Rights Division said the focus of the investigation was not on the number of reported allegations , but on the response . `` Our focus is on systemic issues ; that is , do the university and the law enforcement agencies have the necessary policies and practices in place to protect women in a comprehensive and integrated manner , '' Perez said at a news conference Tuesday . The Department of Education is coordinating with Justice officials , a spokesman told CNN . Fred Van Valkenburg , Missoula County chief prosecutor , vehemently defended his office and the police officers involved in the investigations . `` We adamantly deny that we have done any such thing , and we are deeply disturbed with the allegation that we have done so , '' he told reporters . `` I do not believe there is any reason to think that anyone at UM is violating anyone 's constitutional rights , '' he said . `` We have not been told even in the most minimal fashion what it is we have allegedly done wrong . We are left to speculate what allegations are being made . '' Perez defended the Justice investigation , saying that it was the only way to determine whether there has been any wrongdoing . `` There are a lot of women in this community and a lot of stakeholders in this community who have strong concerns right now , '' he said . In December , the University of Montana initiated its own investigation after allegations of a female student being gang-raped and possibly drugged by other students . The university hired Montana Supreme Court Justice Diane Barz to investigate , and she looked into nine alleged sexual assaults from September 2010 through December . Barz wrote in her report that the university has `` a problem of sexual assault on and off campus . '' That report triggered a preliminary review by the Justice Department , which resulted in the investigation . Engen said Perez notified him last Thursday and met him and other officials involved Tuesday morning before the announcement . At least 11 allegations of sexual assault involving students were reported in the last 18 months . And at least two of the allegations are said to involve football players on the University of Montana Grizzlies football team . `` As to the university , we are investigating whether it responds promptly and effectively to allegations of sexual assault and harassment on campus and has taken the necessary steps to combat sexual violence , '' Perez said . University of Montana President Royce Engstrom said the school was `` fully committed to cooperating and collaborating in this investigation . We have taken this matter extremely seriously from day one . '' Engen said the Penn State child sex abuse scandal changed the way many people think about campus incidents . `` Missoula is no Penn State , '' he said . `` But I think we are like a lot of places . Our experience is not unique . '' In March , the university dismissed football coach Robin Pflugrad and athletic director Jim O'Day . University officials gave no specific reason -- only that it was time for new leadership . But students reacted , some with anger . Andrew Fink wrote on a university Facebook page that the administration was to blame -- not the coach and the athletic director . `` I 'm glad I 'm not a Grizzly anymore ! You hold Robin Pflugrad responsible for the sexual assaults on campus ? How despicable ! These men should be accountable for their own actions ! '' Jason Woodill wrote that the university 's handling of sexual assaults on campus was a joke . `` The way the U of M has handled the sexual assaults makes me ashamed to be a student . The level ( of ) incompetency is blatant and ludicrous , '' he wrote on Facebook . Missoula , a city of about 68,000 people in western Montana , is closely linked to the school . The University of Montana is the top employer in the city , and many local professionals are alumni . The city of Missoula recently launched a campaign called `` It 's Your Call -- 911 '' to encourage victims of sexual assault and rape to come forward . The city police website now has extensive information answering this question : `` What will happen if I contact the Missoula Police Department about being sexually assaulted ? '' `` I think there has been an expectation that as a community , we ramp up our efforts , '' Engen said . `` Ultimately as mayor , my responsibility is to the broader public , its safety and welfare . I want justice done . ''
NEW YORK (AP) — The investigation focuses on complaints at the University of Montana in Missoula . A Missoula prosecutor defends his office and the police officers involved in the investigations . More than 80 cases of sexual assault and rape were reported over three years .