August 19, 2025
Memorandum of Concern: Early Intervention Review, Officer Ryne Kirchberg
In response to multiple complaints against Officer Ryne Kirchberg, Austin Police Oversight (APO) recommends a thorough review of his complaint history and the actions taken by his chain of command to ensure compliance with APD standards and General Orders. Officer Kirchberg has been the subject of 25 Internal Affairs investigations between January 2023 and July 2025. Five internal cases were sustained, and while external complaints were not, APO notes possible policy violations and insufficient corrective action or progressive discipline.
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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
GEBL
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
August 19, 2024
TO:
Lisa Davis, Chief of Police, Austin Police Department
FROM:
Gail McCant, Director, Office of Police Oversight
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Concern: Early Intervention Review
Officer Ryne Kirchberg, AP9241
Dear Chief Davis,
OF
Over the past several months, the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) has received numerous
complaints alleging unreasonable and excessive use of force and/or improper police conduct by
Austin Police Officer Ryne Kirchberg. Upon reviewing Internal Affairs Division (IAD) records,
I
noticed that IAD has conducted 25 investigations into Officer Kirchberg's actions and conduct
between January 1, 2023, and July 31, 2025. Some investigations are currently active.
The breakdown includes nine (9) internal APD investigations and 16 external, OPO complaint-
initiated investigations. Five (5) of the nine internal investigations resulted in a "sustained" finding.
None of the external investigations were classified as "sustained"; however, two (2) were
administratively closed with comments indicating that training was provided to Officer Kirchberg.
It should be noted that OPO staff identified potential policy violations in some of the external
cases that were administratively closed.
The information above reflects that Officer Kirchberg has exhibited a pattern of behavior and
decision-making that may not align with the training and standards APD expects from its officers.
An additional concern is that Officer Kirchberg has received five (5) sustained findings, some
involving allegations of a similar nature; however, he was not subjected to progressive discipline
intended to remediate the behavior. This suggests that his chain of command has not adequately
held him accountable for his inappropriate conduct and decision-making.
IAD's ICMS and Axon case management systems reflect the following:
Internal Affairs History of Sustained Allegations 2023-2025
Internal Affairs Division
Ryne Kirchberg #9241
Date of Commission: 10/19/2020
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.
CTT 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 I FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
GEBL
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
Case No &
Date
Allegation / Classification
APD Decision - - Discipline
2025-00419
Chapter 3 - Class
Administratively Closed, no
4/7/2025
Section: 301 Responsibility to Community
discipline, individual & shift
Section: 301.2 Impartial Attitude & Courtesy
training.
2024-1270
Chapter 8 - Class B
12/26/2024
Section 804.1 General Operation of Dept.
Sustained, EBD Pending
Vehicles
Chapter 8 - Class A
Sustained, Written
2024-0389
4/7/2024
Section 803.2 Safe Handling of Firearms
Reprimand, (EBD
(Storage)
Completed)
2024-0251
Section 8 - Class B
Sustained, Written
3/12/2024
804.2 General Operations of Dept. Vehicles
Reprimand
2023-0907
Chapter 2 — Class B
Sustained, Written
10/13/2023
Section 214.4 Pursuit Guidelines
Reprimand
2023-0416
Chapter 2 — Class B
5/22/2023
Section 215 Foot Pursuit
Sustained, Oral Reprimand
I understand that in order to reduce certain crimes, a targeted and proactive strategy is necessary
to identify and disrupt criminal behavior. However, the methods used by Officer Kirchberg to
engage with members of the community appear to be an outlier. His peer group of officers seems
equally active in proactive policing but receives far fewer internal and external complaints.
I recommend conducting a review of Officer Kirchberg's complaint history and the post-
investigation actions taken by his chain of command to ensure that his conduct aligns with your
expectations, and that policy violations are being addressed 1839 in accordance with APD General
Orders and departmental standards.
Regards,
UNDED
Dail
MccaD
Gail McCant
Director
Office of Police Oversight
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.
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
GEBL
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
August 19, 2024
TO:
Lisa Davis, Chief of Police, Austin Police Department
FROM:
Gail McCant, Director, Office of Police Oversight
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Concern: Early Intervention Review
Officer Ryne Kirchberg, AP9241
Dear Chief Davis,
OF
Over the past several months, the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) has received numerous
complaints alleging unreasonable and excessive use of force and/or improper police conduct by
Austin Police Officer Ryne Kirchberg. Upon reviewing Internal Affairs Division (IAD) records,
I
noticed that IAD has conducted 25 investigations into Officer Kirchberg's actions and conduct
between January 1, 2023, and July 31, 2025. Some investigations are currently active.
The breakdown includes nine (9) internal APD investigations and 16 external, OPO complaint-
initiated investigations. Five (5) of the nine internal investigations resulted in a "sustained" finding.
None of the external investigations were classified as "sustained"; however, two (2) were
administratively closed with comments indicating that training was provided to Officer Kirchberg.
It should be noted that OPO staff identified potential policy violations in some of the external
cases that were administratively closed.
The information above reflects that Officer Kirchberg has exhibited a pattern of behavior and
decision-making that may not align with the training and standards APD expects from its officers.
An additional concern is that Officer Kirchberg has received five (5) sustained findings, some
involving allegations of a similar nature; however, he was not subjected to progressive discipline
intended to remediate the behavior. This suggests that his chain of command has not adequately
held him accountable for his inappropriate conduct and decision-making.
IAD's ICMS and Axon case management systems reflect the following:
Internal Affairs History of Sustained Allegations 2023-2025
Internal Affairs Division
Ryne Kirchberg #9241
Date of Commission: 10/19/2020
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.
CTT 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 I FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
GEBL
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
Case No &
Date
Allegation / Classification
APD Decision - - Discipline
2025-00419
Chapter 3 - Class
Administratively Closed, no
4/7/2025
Section: 301 Responsibility to Community
discipline, individual & shift
Section: 301.2 Impartial Attitude & Courtesy
training.
2024-1270
Chapter 8 - Class B
12/26/2024
Section 804.1 General Operation of Dept.
Sustained, EBD Pending
Vehicles
Chapter 8 - Class A
Sustained, Written
2024-0389
4/7/2024
Section 803.2 Safe Handling of Firearms
Reprimand, (EBD
(Storage)
Completed)
2024-0251
Section 8 - Class B
Sustained, Written
3/12/2024
804.2 General Operations of Dept. Vehicles
Reprimand
2023-0907
Chapter 2 — Class B
Sustained, Written
10/13/2023
Section 214.4 Pursuit Guidelines
Reprimand
2023-0416
Chapter 2 — Class B
5/22/2023
Section 215 Foot Pursuit
Sustained, Oral Reprimand
I understand that in order to reduce certain crimes, a targeted and proactive strategy is necessary
to identify and disrupt criminal behavior. However, the methods used by Officer Kirchberg to
engage with members of the community appear to be an outlier. His peer group of officers seems
equally active in proactive policing but receives far fewer internal and external complaints.
I recommend conducting a review of Officer Kirchberg's complaint history and the post-
investigation actions taken by his chain of command to ensure that his conduct aligns with your
expectations, and that policy violations are being addressed 1839 in accordance with APD General
Orders and departmental standards.
Regards,
UNDED
Dail
MccaD
Gail McCant
Director
Office of Police Oversight
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.