Police
Racial inequity at APD front and center at Public Safety Commission
Public Safety commissioners took a closer look at racial issues in the Austin Police Department, diving into a recent report on the subject at their Monday meeting. A survey of over 1,000 APD officers and staff about their attitudes toward…
Police • By Jonathan Lee • Feb 2, 2021
Videos used to train Austin police perpetuate 'racism, sexist gender norms and classism,' panel finds
A panel of community members has recommended the Austin Police Department remove 60 videos from its training curriculum after concluding they bolster racist and sexist ideas and do little to help officers constructively interact with the public. “The vast majority…
Police • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jan 21, 2021
Abbott plots DPS takeover of APD
Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Twitter Monday that he had received draft language to seize Austin’s Police Department and put it under the control of the Texas Department of Public Safety “just in time for Christmas.” The Austin Police Association,…
Police • By Jo Clifton • Dec 22, 2020
Adler, Pool voice support for cadet class this spring
With Austin police officers either retiring or simply quitting the force in record numbers this year, Mayor Steve Adler told his colleagues at Tuesday’s City Council work session that he really wants to have a cadet class this spring. Council…
Police • By Jo Clifton • Dec 9, 2020
Police department sees trend in violent crime uptick
Breaking from typical practice, the Austin Police Department presented the Public Safety Commission with a monthly crime report for the month of October as part of its routine quarterly update on Monday afternoon. While department representatives said the crime report…
Police • By Ryan Thornton • Dec 8, 2020
Another demonstrator sues APD after she says she was shot in the head with 'less-lethal' ammunition
Another demonstrator has filed a federal lawsuit against the Austin Police Department and an unidentified police officer over the use of so-called less-lethal rounds. Arianna Chavez filed a complaint in federal court last week, alleging the officer used excessive force…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Dec 2, 2020
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Police department makes an effort to reach out to Austin’s deaf community
The Austin Police Department is taking special measures to make sure its policies and procedures do not disproportionately affect community members with hearing loss. At Sunday’s Special Meeting of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities, Officer Scott Marler met…
Police • By Victoria May • Nov 24, 2020
Report finds racial bias in 2019 traffic stops
The Office of Police Oversight, the Equity Office and the Office of Innovation released a joint report Monday determining that racial bias continues to influence outcomes in police traffic stops. The report, which analyzed local traffic stop data from 2019,…
Police • By Ryan Thornton • Nov 17, 2020
Community Police Review Commission convenes
Austin’s new Community Police Review Commission kicked off its inaugural meeting the first week of October, setting guidelines for its activities and discussing how it can help city officials develop more transparent and effective public safety processes. The commission, which will…
Police • By Tara Phipps • Nov 2, 2020
Anticipating election protests, Council members ask Austin police how they plan to avoid injuries
Four City Council members sent a letter Thursday to the chief of police asking him to explain how he plans to keep protesters safe during anticipated demonstrations following the results of the presidential election next week. “As we’re sure you…
Police • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Oct 30, 2020
Austin protester sues officer for shooting him in the face with 'less-lethal' round
An Austinite who was shot by a police officer with a so-called less-lethal shotgun round during a protest this summer is suing the officer and the Austin Police Department in federal court. A federal civil rights lawsuit filed Tuesday on…
Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Oct 21, 2020
Mike Ramos' mother asks Austin police chief whether he'll fire officer who killed her son
The mother of Mike Ramos, a Black and Latino man who was shot and killed by an Austin police officer in April, is calling on the department to act on investigations into the officer. At a press conference Wednesday, Brenda…
