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Police Oversight Reports and Recommendations

November 8, 2024

OPO Policy Recommendation: Transport Vehicles

This memorandum provides feedback and recommendations from the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) for improving the Austin Police Department’s (APD) General Orders. The OPO has received several complaints involving the use of force when officers attempt to place arrested subjects in the back of standard four-door patrol vehicles. The OPO believes that using transport cargo vehicles in place of standard four-door patrol vehicles to transport arrestees exhibiting resistance can reduce the escalation of force. In addition to reducing the use of force incidents, this practice can increase officer safety and the safety of the arrested person and, in some incidents, reduce the need for additional charges for resisting arrest. This practice has been successfully implemented by various departments across the country. APD has an opportunity to establish this policy in alignment with nationwide best practices.

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OF
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
CITY
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
OUNDED
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
November 8, 2024
Lisa Davis, Chief of Police
Austin Police Department
715 E. 8th Street
Austin, TX 78701
RE: OPO Policy Recommendation to the Austin Police Department
Dear Chief Davis:
This memorandum provides feedback and recommendations from the Office of Police Oversight
(OPO) for improving the Austin Police Department's (APD) General Orders.
The OPO has received several complaints involving the use of force when officers attempt to place
arrested subjects in the back of standard four-door patrol vehicles. The OPO believes that using
transport cargo vehicles in place of standard four-door patrol vehicles to transport arrestees
exhibiting resistance can reduce the escalation of force. In addition to reducing the use of force
incidents, this practice can increase officer safety and the safety of the arrested person and, in some
incidents, reduce the need for additional charges for resisting arrest. This practice has been
successfully implemented by various departments across the country. APD has an opportunity to
establish this policy in alignment with nationwide best practices.
We look forward to addressing the items identified and improving policies to benefit the
community and APD sworn personnel.
Sincerely,
1839
Dail Mecan
Gail McCant, Director
Office of Police Oversight
1/2
OF
CITY
OFFICE OF
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
1839
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20P0
New Policy Recommendation: Transport Vehicle
Recommendation #1: The Office of Police Oversight recommends that the Austin Police
Department consider acquiring additional arrest transport vans, equipped with prisoner
transport inserts, to transport arrestees who exhibit physical resistance during the
transportation process.
This change may reduce the occurrence of force incidents, increase officer safety, and increase
the safety of the arrested person(s).
OUNDED
1839