May 14, 2025 Working Group Meeting Slide Deck

QUARTERLY
POLICE OVERSIGHT
OF
IMPLEMENTATION
DAY
ALSUA
OFFICE OF
POLICE OVERSIGHT
FOUNDED
1839
WORKGROUP
May 14, 2025 I 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
01
Welcome and Housekeeping
02
Welcome from OPO Director
03 Community Police Review Commission Update
04
2023 Annual Report Overview
Agenda
05
Policy and Research Presentation
06
Data Overview
07
Complaints Process Q&A
08
Closing
OPO is committed to creating and
sustaining a safe space that is
comfortable for all attendees.
By participating in this meeting, you consent to
the following guidelines:
We respect each other by listening when
others are speaking.
We respect each other by staying within
the time allotted.
We respect each other by disagreeing
respectfully.
About the Office of Police Oversight
The mission of the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) is to provide impartial oversight of the Austin
Police Department's conduct, practices, and policies to enhance accountability, inform the public
to increase transparency and create sustainable partnerships throughout the community.
ACCOUNTABILITY
TRANSPARENCY
PARTNERSHIPS
Public Documents
Notice of formal complaints,
reprimands, and suspension notices
Top Services
Policy and Discipline
File a Complaint About an
All Official Complaint and
Recommendations
Austin Police Officer
Discipline Documents
Official Memos
Thank an Austin Police Officer
Lawsuit Documents
APD Responses
Related Information
Published Reports
2022 Annual Report
Lawsuit Documents
Know Your Righte When Interacting with the Police
Police Oversight Reports and Recommendations
Quarterly Complaints Data
Community
Espanol
We Want Your Feedback!
Our office accepts community feedback about interactions with the Austin Police
Officers. OPO is separate and independent from the Austin Police Department
File a Complaint about an
Compliment an Austin
Austin Police Officer
Police Officer
Frequently Asked Questions
Website update in progress
What We Do
When people have concerns or complaints about potential police misconduct,
those concerns need to be heard, investigated and resolved At Austin's office of
Police Oversight (OPO), everything we do is to promote an atmosphere of earned
trust between Austinites and the Austin Police Department (APD). We do this by
Goal: improve navigation and
making it easy, accessible, and safe for Austinites to provide feedback on their
interactions with APD.
We make sure that:
accessibility to published documents
There are several reporting options available (email, an online form,
telephone, etc.).
The process is not overwhelming or complex.
All complaints are investigated
People can choose to remain anonymous
The community understands what we do, how we do it, and how to reach us.
Our office also:
To give feedback, sign up for OPO's
Makes recommendations to the City Manager and APD about individual
incidents and investigations, as well as broader policy recommendations
Is committed to treating all parties - residents, APD, and the Austin Police
newsletter
Association (APA) - as stakeholders involved in an ongoing conversation
We seek to understand and learn from all perspectives.
Police Oversight Documents
Attend Our Next Meeting
Director's Message
Manages and directs the staff of the Office of Police Oversight.
Oversees the Austin Police Department's investigations of critical
incidents involving Austin police officers.
Works closely with the City Manager, the Austin Police Department's
Chief of Police, and Austin Police Department's Internal Affairs
Division to ensure accountability, transparency, and input from the
community.
25+ years of experience in civil, human, employment, and housing rights
Certified Mediator
Gail McCant
Bachelor of Arts- Southern University, Baton Rouge (Liberal Studies/Communications)
Director
Community
Police Review
Commission
Community Police Review
Commission (CPRC)
Consists of eleven community volunteers
selected by the City Manager.
Separate and independent from the Austin
Police Department.
OPO working to re-establish CPRC in
alignment with Municipal Code 2-15-4,
Austin Police Oversight Act.
Join us! First CPRC Meeting
Friday, May 16, 2025
3:30 - 6:00 PM
City Hall, Boards & Commissions Room
Open to the public! No registration required.
Livestreamed on ATXN.gov
2023 Annual
Report
Annua
2023 Annual
Report
Repor
202
The Office of Police Oversight released its 2023
Annual Report as of April 23, 2025
Highlights the office's activities and
achievements throughout the year
The report is available to the public on OPO's
website
OFFICE OF
POLICE OVERSIG
2023 Annual Report
2023 OPO Annual Report
-
EXTERNAL COMPLAINT ALLEGATIONS
2022
2023
Complaints Division
35%
30 %
25%
20%
In 2023, OPO received 1,552 contacts and 99
15%
compliments for APD.
10%
5%
OPO forwarded 578 complaints to the APD
0%
and recommended that 215 be investigated
The two most common complaint allegations
continue to be "no assistance from APD"
(28%) and "courtesy/impartial attitude" (23%).
2023 Annual Report -
Communications &
Community Engagement
OPO attended and hosted 53 events, reaching
more than 1,000 community members through
direct outreach and engagement.
Published 3 disciplinary memorandums, 175
notices of complaint, and 43 case documents
related to lawsuits
2023 Annual Report -
Policy & Research Division
OPO expanded the policy and research division with
additional staff to ensure implementation of the
Austin Police Oversight Act and Resolution 99
OPO 2024 Annual Report
Coming Fall 2025!
Follow us on Twitter or Facebook to stay informed!
opo.outreach@austintexas.gov
atxpoliceoversight.org
Policy and
Research
Division
Responsibilities:
Research ongoing issues related to APD
Gather and synthesize national best
practices in policing
Analyze APD's General Orders policy,
Policy & Research
training, and procedures and offer
recommendations for improvement
Division
Sources of Work:
APD-initiated policy change
Complaint-generated
City Manager-generated
Other (based on OPO strategic plan,
other issues identified, etc.)
APD Initiated Policy Changes & General Orders Amendments
January 2025
February 2025
March 2025
0
12
0
-415.5 Utilization of Narcan - Procedures
801.2.7 Jackets
801.2.6 Equipment and Uniform Regulations -
Footwear
801.3.1 Class A - Dess Ceremonial Uniform
801.3.5 Sworn Uniformed Personnel Appearing
in Public
.
918.4.3 Administrative Procedures
.
922.5.10 Employee Awards
.924.2 Personal Appearance Standards Purpose
and Scope
. 946.2 Purpose and Scope - Tobacco Use
949.4 Secondary Employee Application Packets
1007.7 Death by Suicide
1021.4 Emergency Leave and Pay
January-March - 2025 Policy Recommendations
A total of 2 recommendations were made for the months of January-March on the
following APD policies:
Restraint Guidelines
Racial or Biased- - Based Profiling
Restraint Guidelines
General Orders 321
OPO Recommendation
APD Response
1.
APD remove specific language from the
APD has not yet responded to
General Orders that places the burden of this recommendation.
requesting to be handcuffed in front, by a
Deaf/deaf or hard-of-hearing arrested
person.
Racial or Bias-Based Profiling
General Order 328
OPO Recommendation
APD Response
1.
OPO recommends APD remove
APD has agreed to this recommendation.
the reference to "police monitor"
and replace with "Office of
Police Oversight".
Last Quarter's October-December 2024)
Recommendation
Transport Vehicle Recommendation
APD has yet to respond to OPO's recommendation.
General Order 902.2.4 Initial Supervisor Responsibility
APD has yet to respond to OPO's recommendation.
Complaints Data
Overview
OPO Complaint Process
STEP 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
STEP 1: OPO RECEIVES COMPLAINT
OPO receives complaint, enters it into a shared database with APD.
OPO Complaint Process
Step 1
STEP 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
STEP 2: PRELIMINARY REVIEW
As of October 1, 2023, OPO conducts a preliminary review of all complaints.
During preliminary review, OPO independently reviews the complaint for potential policy violations.
OPO has direct and unfettered access to all APD databases, including but not limited to, body-worn
and dash camera footage, radio traffic, dispatch information, and GPS tracking data.
OPO Complaint Process
Step 1
Step 2
STEP 3
Step 4
Step 5
STEP 3: PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
OPO initiates a preliminary investigation if a policy violation is observed.
This includes contacting the complainant and any witnesses, conducting a detailed interview about
the allegation, and collecting evidence to support the allegation.
OPO will also attempt to complete an affidavit of fact from the complainant before forwarding the
complaint to APD for investigation.
OPO Complaint Process
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
STEP 4
Step 5
STEP 4: OPO OVERSEES INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATION
OPO oversees and participates in the Internal Affairs investigation from beginning to end.
OPO's complaint investigators independently review evidence, including information from APD databases
like body-worn camera footage and information submitted by complainants, witnesses, or subject officers.
OPO participates in Internal Affairs interviews with complainants, witnesses, and subject officers by
working with them to draft and ask questions.
Throughout the process, OPO's Complaint Division staff regularly communicates with the Internal Affairs
investigator assigned to the case to be notified about interviews or evidence collected during the
investigation.
OPO Complaint Process
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
STEP 5
STEP 5: OPO MAKES A RECOMMENDATION
At the end of the process, OPO's complaint investigators review the final investigative findings.
OPO will either concur with APD's findings or make an independent recommendation to the Chief of
Police or the Officer's Chain of Command regarding the classification of the policy violation or propose
discipline.
Data Overview: January - March 2025
January
February
March
Complaints/Concerns
53
46
83
Anonymous Totals
4
3
4
Compliments
4
7
11
Total Contacts
57
53
94
Data Overview: January to March 2025
January
February
March
Preliminary Review
53
46
83
Conducted
Sworn Affidavit Submitted
0
5
5
Recommended for Full Internal
1
6
9
Affairs Investigation
Investigated by Internal Affairs
1
7
9
Pending Investigation
0
5
8
Resigned or Separated During
1
1
2
Administrative Investigation
CLASS A
CLASS B
Include, but are not limited to policy
Include, but not limited to criminal
violations such as profanity,
conduct, serious policy violations, or
belittling language, inadequate
conduct that could damage the
police service, minor traffic
COMPLAINT
Police Department.
violations, negligent damage, or loss
of property.
CLASSIFICATIONS
CLASS C
CLASS D
* Complaints that Could Not Be Further
Investigated: OPO sometimes receives
complaints outside of our purview, for example,
Not policy violations, but the officer
Not policy violations because the
complaints against other law enforcement
might need training to handle the
evidence shows they are false.
situation better.
agencies, or other government agencies.
Data Overview: January - March 2025
January
February
March
Class A
0
0
0
Class
0
0
0
Class C
0
0
0
Class D
1
1
1
Complaints that Could Not
Be Further Investigated
6
5
8
Data Overview: January - March 2025
January
February
March
Disciplinary Recommendations
Made to Chief of Police
1
1
1
Disciplinary Recommendations
Made to Chain of Command
2
0
0
JOIN US FOR OUR FIRST OPEN HOUSE!
Get to know the OPO
Saturday, July 19th
Austin Central Library
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
710 W Cesar Chavez St
Learn about the Office of Police
Oversight's mission, the complaint
process, and how we work with
the Austin community to ensure
accountability and transparency.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS.
COME CONNECT WITH US!
OF
AUSTIN
OFFICE OF
ATXPoliceOversight
ATX_OPO
POLICE OVERSIGHT
FOUNDED
atxpoliceoversight.org
Questions and
Answers
Save the Date!
U
T
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A
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Next meeting: August 2025
Follow us on Twitter or Facebook to stay informed!
opo.outreach@austintexas.gov
atxpoliceoversight.org