The NYPD says it is adding 20 more detectives to its Special Victims Unit following recent criticism over how the department handles sex crime investigations.

The announcement came as top brass testified in a heated meeting before the city council on Monday.

A report released last week by the Department of Investigation found the Special Victims Division has been critically understaffed.

Last year, there were 67 detectives looking into more than 5,000 cases.

While testifying, NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan said the department takes rape and sexual assault cases very seriously and says every case is fully investigated.

The hearing examined some legislative proposals that would require special training in these cases, as well as an update to the NYPD's case management systems.