September 29, 2025
APO Policy Recommendation: 400 Officer Response to Calls
This memorandum provides feedback on the Austin Police Department's General Orders regarding officer response to calls. APO recommends officers not exceed the posted speed limit by more than 20 mph while responding to calls under code 3 and reduce their speeds further when hazardous conditions are present.
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P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 I FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
GERY
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
POLICY RECOMMENDATION
TO:
Chief Lisa Davis, Austin Police Department
FROM:
Director Gail McCant, Office of Police Oversight
DATE:
September 29, 2025
SUBJECT:
OPO Policy Recommendation: GO 400 OFFICER RESPONSE TO CALLS
Dear Chief Davis:
This memorandum provides feedback and recommendations for improving the Austin
Police Department's (APD) General Order (GO) 400 OFFICER RESPONSE TO CALLS
The following policy recommendation from the Office of Police Oversight is in response to
Internal Affairs case #2025-0204. The specific policy reviewed in this memorandum is as
follows:
400.2.1 CODE 3 (EMERGENCY OPERATION)
The Office of Police Oversight (OPO) asserts that the primary duty of any emergency
response is to safeguard human life. Speed and urgency should never take precedence over
the obligation to ensure the safety of officers, motorists, and pedestrians. The following
recommendation aligns with national policing best practices and roadway safety data.¹
The OPO trusts that this APD policy can be improved in a way that benefits community
members, the City of Austin, and APD. We look forward to continuing to improve policies to
Sincerely,
enhance the Austin Police Department's transparency 1839 accountability.
OUNDED
Dail
Gail McCant
Director
Office of Police Oversight
1
NLERSP-Roadway-Safety-Culture-Issue-Brief web-FINAL.pdf
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to
communications will be provided upon request.
1
CTTA OF AUSTIN
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
GERL
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
POLICY RECOMMENDATION
General Order # 400 OFFICER RESPONSE TO CALLS
Recommendation #1:
OPO recommends that APD officers shall not exceed the posted speed limit by more than 20
MPH when responding to a call under Code 3. Officers must reduce their speed if road,
weather, or traffic conditions make higher speeds unsafe while operating Code 3.
The operation of emergency vehicles must be carried out with proper regard for the safety of all
individuals, as required under Texas Transportation Code §546.005². Emergency response must
be balanced with the public's right to safety, so that urgent action does not create unnecessary risk
for others.
FOUNDED
6839
2 TRANSPORTATION CODE CHAPTER 546. OPERATION OF AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND
CERTAIN OTHER VEHICLES
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to
communications will be provided upon request.
2
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 I FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
GERY
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
POLICY RECOMMENDATION
TO:
Chief Lisa Davis, Austin Police Department
FROM:
Director Gail McCant, Office of Police Oversight
DATE:
September 29, 2025
SUBJECT:
OPO Policy Recommendation: GO 400 OFFICER RESPONSE TO CALLS
Dear Chief Davis:
This memorandum provides feedback and recommendations for improving the Austin
Police Department's (APD) General Order (GO) 400 OFFICER RESPONSE TO CALLS
The following policy recommendation from the Office of Police Oversight is in response to
Internal Affairs case #2025-0204. The specific policy reviewed in this memorandum is as
follows:
400.2.1 CODE 3 (EMERGENCY OPERATION)
The Office of Police Oversight (OPO) asserts that the primary duty of any emergency
response is to safeguard human life. Speed and urgency should never take precedence over
the obligation to ensure the safety of officers, motorists, and pedestrians. The following
recommendation aligns with national policing best practices and roadway safety data.¹
The OPO trusts that this APD policy can be improved in a way that benefits community
members, the City of Austin, and APD. We look forward to continuing to improve policies to
Sincerely,
enhance the Austin Police Department's transparency 1839 accountability.
OUNDED
Dail
Gail McCant
Director
Office of Police Oversight
1
NLERSP-Roadway-Safety-Culture-Issue-Brief web-FINAL.pdf
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to
communications will be provided upon request.
1
CTTA OF AUSTIN
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
GERL
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
POLICY RECOMMENDATION
General Order # 400 OFFICER RESPONSE TO CALLS
Recommendation #1:
OPO recommends that APD officers shall not exceed the posted speed limit by more than 20
MPH when responding to a call under Code 3. Officers must reduce their speed if road,
weather, or traffic conditions make higher speeds unsafe while operating Code 3.
The operation of emergency vehicles must be carried out with proper regard for the safety of all
individuals, as required under Texas Transportation Code §546.005². Emergency response must
be balanced with the public's right to safety, so that urgent action does not create unnecessary risk
for others.
FOUNDED
6839
2 TRANSPORTATION CODE CHAPTER 546. OPERATION OF AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND
CERTAIN OTHER VEHICLES
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to
communications will be provided upon request.
2