Drones are multipurpose: They can deliver pizzas and tally seals. Drones can fight wildfires and make aerial videos that garner pretty impressive watch counts on YouTube. Drones can also map fatal car crashes, which is why the Austin Police Department recently doled out $10,468 to buy two of them. “A fatal crash scene is unique […]
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Police union contract includes surprises
The union representing police officers has presented the city with a proposed contract, as well as a study by Angelou Economics challenging the city’s well-worn assertion that Austin officers are paid more than their cohorts in other Texas cities. In addition, the union has agreed with activists that except for the police monitor, that contract […]
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Traffic law enforcement still a hot topic
Even though traffic law enforcement and street safety is a top priority for the Austin Police Department, the majority of officers have little time to devote to such enforcement, given their other priorities, such as responding to citizens’ calls and engaging in community policing efforts. That is the major conclusion of an audit report produced […]
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Citizen Review Panel audit brings up questions of document security
After 17 years of evaluation of the Austin Police Department by the Citizen Review Panel, not much happened. That is the conclusion that the Office of the City Auditor presented at the Aug. 6 meeting of the Public Safety Commission: After reviewing 54 of the panel’s recommendations as well as 10 written responses from APD, […]
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APD continues to push toward community-focused policing
Since the Austin Police Department made its switch to a more community-oriented focus last year, it has continued to plow forward in its efforts to reorient its policies and position APD more as a force for the people. In a presentation to the Public Safety Commission on July 2, Police Chief Brian Manley updated commissioners on the […]
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Police and community groups join to explore how to improve oversight of APD
Austin’s system of police oversight may be more effective than others at promoting long-term change, but there’s still skepticism about the agency, according to a new report. The report from the Office of the Police Monitor notes that agencies like Austin’s have the power to track whether a police department makes changes based on public […]
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Audit: Citizen oversight of APD flawed
Although the city’s Citizen Review Panel drafted numerous memos to the chief of police in an attempt to bring about change at the Austin Police Department, its efforts “did not create substantive change” within APD, according to a draft audit conducted by the Office of the City Auditor. Part of the problem, auditors noted, was […]
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Divided Council rejects more pay for police
With only five members voting in favor of the motion, City Council rejected reinstatement of extra pay for certain police officers Thursday night, dashing the hopes of officers who work night shifts, for example. Passage of any ordinance requires six votes. Explanations about why that happened depend on who you ask. Council Member Delia Garza, […]
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Council confirms Manley as new police chief
City Council unanimously confirmed Brian Manley as the Austin Police Department’s new chief Thursday. Manley has served in an interim role since former Police Chief Art Acevedo left to head up Houston’s police department in 2016. Manley thanked those at City Hall for “putting faith” in him and said he appreciated having the opportunity to […]
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Council members: APD should not be allowed to sell guns
In 2016, City Council approved a contract that allowed the Austin Police Department to trade more than 1,700 handguns to an arms dealer as part of a deal to acquire new weapons for police officers. Council Member Alison Alter doesn’t think it’s right for city guns to make their way back to the private market. […]
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Manley lays out vision for Austin Police in interview with public for permanent chief job
A week ago, Interim Police Chief Brian Manley was tapped by City Manager Spencer Cronk as the sole finalist to be the city’s new permanent police chief, and now Cronk and the city are engaged in a public input process before possibly bringing on Manley full time. Residents gathered in a rec center in East […]
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Brian Manley is the sole finalist to lead the Austin Police Department permanently
Austin is one step closer to getting a new police chief. City Manager Spencer Cronk said Brian Manley is the sole candidate to take over the reins at the Austin Police Department. Manley served as the longtime second-in-command to his predecessor, Art Acevedo, and was tapped to serve as interim chief after Acevedo’s departure in […]