Formal complaint: Purpose and Scope- Community Policing, Responsibility to the Community

GIN OF
OFFICE OF
NOTICE OF FORMAL
POLICE OVERSIGHT
COMPLAINT
FOUNDED
ICMS #: 2020-1443
August 29, 2020
Complaint: The OPO received an email from an anonymous complainant that included the
photo of an APD officer and the alleged officers social media posts that included comments
about protesters.
This notice of. formal complaint is a request for Internal Affairs to initiate an investigation in
order to determine if the employee conduct is within compliance of APD policy, Civil Service
Rules, and Municipal Civil Service Rules.
Recommended Administrative Policies to Review (to include but not limited to):
105 PURPOSE AND SCOPE - COMMUNITY POLICING
The purpose of this general order is to identify the tenets of Community Policing, which serves
as the basis for this Department's mission and guiding principles. Community Policing is beyond
a philosophy, it is a practice. The Austin Police Department is committed to Community Policing
which strives to build mutual respect, collaborative partnerships, fair and impartial policing, and
procedurally just behavior with the community that we serve. The Department's goal is to have
an understanding of the traditions, culture, and history of the neighborhoods in which they serve
in order to develop proactive solutions to problems and increase overall trust in policing.
Likewise, the Department is required to provide information and training to the community SO
community members gain an understanding of police practices and procedures, as well as an
understanding of the traditions and culture of law enforcement.
301.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE - RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY
All persons deserve protection by fair and impartial law enforcement and should be able to
expect similar police response to their behavior wherever it occurs. Employees will serve the
public through direction, counseling, assistance, and protection of life and property. Employees
will be held accountable for the manner in which they exercise the authority of their office or
position. Employees will respect the rights of individuals and perform their services with
honesty, sincerity, courage, and sound judgment.
301.2 IMPARTIAL ATTITUDE AND COURTESY
Employees are expected to act professionally, treat all persons fairly and equally, and perform
all duties impartially, objectively, and equitably without regard to personal feelings, animosities,
friendships, financial status, sex, creed, color, race, religion, age, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, gender identity or gender expression or social or ethnic background.
301.3 CUSTOMER SERVICE AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
APD constantly works to establish direct contacts with the community we serve. Without
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.
OF
CITY
OFFICE OF
NOTICE OF FORMAL
POLICE OVERSIGHT
COMPLAINT
FOUNDED
grassroots community support, successful enforcement of many laws may be difficult, if not
impossible. Community involvement can be an effective means of eliciting public support, can
serve to identify problems in the making, and may foster cooperative efforts in resolving
community issues. Input from the community can also help ensure that agency general orders
accurately reflect the needs of the community.
900.3.2 ACTS BRINGING DISCREDIT UPON THE DEPARTMENT
Since the conduct of personnel both on-duty or off-duty may reflect directly upon the
Department, employees must conduct themselves at all times in a manner which does not bring
reproach, discredit, or embarrassment to the Department or to the City.
A
Recommended Classification: The OPO is permitted to make a preliminary recommendation
on the classification of administrative cases.
The OPO recommends that this allegation receive an A classification.