Formal complaint: Response to resistance and other policy violations

OF
CHICK
OFFICE OF
NOTICE OF FORMAL
POLICE OVERSIGHT
COMPLAINT
FOUNDED
ICMS #: 2019-1358
January 8, 2020
Complaint: Mr.
, complainant, alleges that Austin Police Department officers may
have used excessive force with him during an encounter, stating that officers applied pressure to
his legs and "they felt like they were going to break."
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):
200.3 RESPONSE TO RESISTANCE
While the type and extent of force may vary, it is the policy of this department that officers use
only that amount of objectively reasonable force which appears necessary under the
circumstances to successfully accomplish the legitimate law enforcement purpose in accordance
with this order.
200.3.1 DETERMINING THE OBJECTIVE REASONABLENESS OF FORCE
Any interpretation of objective reasonableness about the amount of force that reasonably appears
to be necessary in a particular situation must allow for the fact that police officers are often
forced to make split-second decisions in circumstances that are tense, uncertain and rapidly
evolving, and the amount of time available to evaluate and respond to changing circumstances
may influence their decisions. The question is whether the officer's actions are "objectively
reasonable" in light of the facts and circumstances confronting him.
306.7 VEHICLE INVENTORY
An inventory is a legitimate law enforcement activity that is not a search and that sometimes,
incidentally, results in the discovery of evidence. Vehicle inventories will be conducted in
accordance with General Order 350 (Vehicle Towing and Impound).
306.6 SEARCH INCIDENT TO ARREST
The general authority to search incident to a lawful custodial arrest is not qualified or limited by
the type of arrest. Objects of the search are weapons, evidence, and/or means of escape.
306.8 PROBABLE CAUSE
306.9 FRISK (PAT-DOWN) FOR WEAPONS
A frisk is a mere pat-down of the outer clothing, area, vehicle or container to which a detained
person may have immediate access. The purpose of a limited weapons frisk after an investigatory
stop is not to discover crime, but to allow the officer to pursue the investigation without fear of
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
CHILL
AUSTIN
OFFICE OF
NOTICE OF FORMAL
POLICE OVERSIGHT
COMPLAINT
FOUNDED
1839
violence. An officer does not need to be absolutely certain that an individual is armed; the issue
is whether a reasonably prudent person would justifiably believe that he or others were in danger.
306.10 PLAIN VIEW
Because an individual does not have an expectation of privacy as to items that are in plain view,
no search has taken place in a constitutional sense when an object is viewed from a location
where the officer has a right to be.
350.4 VEHICLE INVENTORY
318.5.1 MIRANDA WARNING
F
900.1.1 RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW AND COMPLY
The rules of conduct set forth in this order do not serve as an all-inclusive list of requirements,
limitations, or prohibitions on employee conduct and activities; employees are required to know
and comply with all Department policies, procedures, and written directives.
900.3.4 PERSONAL CONDUCT
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.
1839
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.