September 11, 2025
OPO Policy Recommendation: 321 Care and Transport of Prisoners
This memorandum provides feedback on the Austin Police Department's General Orders regarding the care and transport of prisoners. The Office of Police Oversight recommends that the APD restore policy language regarding procedures when transporting vulnerable populations and add a section providing specific considerations when transporting individuals with disabilities or physical functional limitations.
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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 I 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:
Thursday, September 11, 2025
SUBJECT:
OPO Policy Recommendation: 321 CARE AND TRANSPORT OF PRISONERS
Dear Chief Davis:
This memorandum provides feedback and recommendations for improving the Austin Police
Department's (APD) General Order (GO) 321 CARE AND TRANSPORT OF PRISONERS.
The specific policy reviewed in this memorandum is as follows:
321.3.2 SPECIAL SITUATIONS.
The following policy recommendations will help the Austin Police Department (APD) safeguard
vulnerable populations, improve officer safety, and build community trust while aligning with
modern policing standards. Many agencies nationwide already use specialized protocols for
transporting juveniles, transgender individuals, and people with disabilities. Adopting these
recommendations will align APD with national best practices and ensure respectful and lawful
treatment of individuals with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and
other applicable laws.
The OPO trusts that this APD policy can be improved and that it benefits the City of Austin, APD,
and community members. We look forward to improving policies to enhance APD's transparency
and accountability.
Sincerely,
FOUNDED
6339
Dail
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.
1
CTTL OF AUSTIN
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 I TTY: 711 FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
GERY
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
POLICY RECOMMENDATION
321 CARE AND TRANSPORT OF PRISONERS
Recommendation #1:
OPO recommends that the APD restore policy language regarding real-time special situation
procedures when transporting the following vulnerable populations: prisoners of the opposite
gender, juveniles, prisoners known to the officer to be transgender, or those whose gender is
undetermined.
Law enforcement agencies are held to high standards regarding the treatment of prisoners,
particularly minors and vulnerable individuals. In addition to radioing dispatch and logging
odometer readings, officers can utilize dash cams, body-worn cameras, GPS tracking, and
transport logs to record their location and actions during transport. The best practice is often to
use a combination of these methods, as overlapping records strengthen credibility and
protection. It is crucial to document these procedures within policy to improve accountability
and safeguard prisoners and officers.
Recommendation #2:
OPO recommends that APD add a separate section to GO# 321.3.2 Special Situations, providing
specific considerations when transporting individuals with disabilities or those with physical
functional limitations.
Best practices and current laws require reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities
and state that officers should not separate individuals or prisoners from wheelchairs, mobility
aids, prosthetics, medical equipment, or service animals unless it is necessary for safety. When
transportation is required, reasonable efforts should be made to secure and transport these
devices with the individual. Because mobility devices and medical equipment (such as oxygen
tanks) can pose unique safety risks, officers must follow procedures to ensure devices are
adequately secured, individuals are safely lifted and positioned with correct seatbelt use, and
medical needs are considered. These protocols help reduce the risk of injury to both the
individual and the officer.
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 I 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:
Thursday, September 11, 2025
SUBJECT:
OPO Policy Recommendation: 321 CARE AND TRANSPORT OF PRISONERS
Dear Chief Davis:
This memorandum provides feedback and recommendations for improving the Austin Police
Department's (APD) General Order (GO) 321 CARE AND TRANSPORT OF PRISONERS.
The specific policy reviewed in this memorandum is as follows:
321.3.2 SPECIAL SITUATIONS.
The following policy recommendations will help the Austin Police Department (APD) safeguard
vulnerable populations, improve officer safety, and build community trust while aligning with
modern policing standards. Many agencies nationwide already use specialized protocols for
transporting juveniles, transgender individuals, and people with disabilities. Adopting these
recommendations will align APD with national best practices and ensure respectful and lawful
treatment of individuals with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and
other applicable laws.
The OPO trusts that this APD policy can be improved and that it benefits the City of Austin, APD,
and community members. We look forward to improving policies to enhance APD's transparency
and accountability.
Sincerely,
FOUNDED
6339
Dail
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.
1
CTTL OF AUSTIN
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 I TTY: 711 FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
GERY
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
POLICY RECOMMENDATION
321 CARE AND TRANSPORT OF PRISONERS
Recommendation #1:
OPO recommends that the APD restore policy language regarding real-time special situation
procedures when transporting the following vulnerable populations: prisoners of the opposite
gender, juveniles, prisoners known to the officer to be transgender, or those whose gender is
undetermined.
Law enforcement agencies are held to high standards regarding the treatment of prisoners,
particularly minors and vulnerable individuals. In addition to radioing dispatch and logging
odometer readings, officers can utilize dash cams, body-worn cameras, GPS tracking, and
transport logs to record their location and actions during transport. The best practice is often to
use a combination of these methods, as overlapping records strengthen credibility and
protection. It is crucial to document these procedures within policy to improve accountability
and safeguard prisoners and officers.
Recommendation #2:
OPO recommends that APD add a separate section to GO# 321.3.2 Special Situations, providing
specific considerations when transporting individuals with disabilities or those with physical
functional limitations.
Best practices and current laws require reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities
and state that officers should not separate individuals or prisoners from wheelchairs, mobility
aids, prosthetics, medical equipment, or service animals unless it is necessary for safety. When
transportation is required, reasonable efforts should be made to secure and transport these
devices with the individual. Because mobility devices and medical equipment (such as oxygen
tanks) can pose unique safety risks, officers must follow procedures to ensure devices are
adequately secured, individuals are safely lifted and positioned with correct seatbelt use, and
medical needs are considered. These protocols help reduce the risk of injury to both the
individual and the officer.
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