December 19, 2024
OPO Policy Recommendation: 902.2.4 INITIAL SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY
This memorandum provides feedback and recommendations for improving the Austin Police Department’s (APD) General Order (GO) 902.2.4 INITIAL SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY. This policy analysis and recommendations address the need for more clarity in APD's current policy, outlining the operational guidelines for initial supervisory responsibility.
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AUSTIN
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
GIVE
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
POLICY RECOMMENDATION
TO:
Chief Lisa Davis, Austin Police Department
FROM:
Director Gail McCant, Office of Police Oversight
DATE:
December 19, 2024
SUBJECT:
OPO Policy Recommendation: 902.2.4 INITIAL SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY
Dear Chief Davis:
This memorandum provides feedback and recommendations for improving the Austin Police
Department's (APD) General Order (GO) 902.2.4 INITIAL SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY
The specific policies reviewed in this memorandum are as follows:
902.2.4 Initial Supervisor Responsibility
902.2.4 (b) Allegations of a Minor Nature
This policy analysis and recommendations address the need for more clarity in APD's
current policy, outlining the operational guidelines for initial supervisory responsibility. In
APD's current GO, there is an exception in 902.2.4 that limits supervisor responsibility if a
complaint of a minor nature is submitted directly to the OPO or IA.
In current APD GO 902.2.4 (b), allegations of a minor nature are to be addressed within one
calendar week. However, with the exception in the policy language that excludes minor
complaints submitted from OPO or IA, OPO has found that complainants are not hearing from
APD supervisors within any standardized timeframe.
No other guidelines in APD's GO indicate the timeframe for minor complaints submitted from
OPO or IA. This burdens OPO staff, IA staff, and community members who file complaints in
good faith and lacks the transparency and consistency that APD affords to minor complaints
that do not come from OPO or IA.
We look forward to addressing the items identified and improving these policies to benefit
the community and APD's sworn personnel.
Sincerely,
Gail McCant
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.
1/2
OF
CITY
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
1839
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 I TTY: 711 I FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
POLICY RECOMMENDATION
902.2.4 INITIAL SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY
Recommendation #1:
OPO recommends APD remove the language that disqualifies OPO complaints from the
standard processes outlined in 902.2.4
OPO believes that removing the language that excludes complaints submitted from OPO or IA
will remove any confusion about APD supervisor responsibilities. Treating all internal and external
complaints of a minor nature identically also allows APD to be fully transparent to and with the
community.
F
902.2.4 INITIAL SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY Unless a complaint is submitted
directly to the OPO or IA, the initial response to an internal or external complaint shall
generally rest with the employee's immediate supervisor.
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.
2/2
AUSTIN
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
GIVE
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
POLICY RECOMMENDATION
TO:
Chief Lisa Davis, Austin Police Department
FROM:
Director Gail McCant, Office of Police Oversight
DATE:
December 19, 2024
SUBJECT:
OPO Policy Recommendation: 902.2.4 INITIAL SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY
Dear Chief Davis:
This memorandum provides feedback and recommendations for improving the Austin Police
Department's (APD) General Order (GO) 902.2.4 INITIAL SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY
The specific policies reviewed in this memorandum are as follows:
902.2.4 Initial Supervisor Responsibility
902.2.4 (b) Allegations of a Minor Nature
This policy analysis and recommendations address the need for more clarity in APD's
current policy, outlining the operational guidelines for initial supervisory responsibility. In
APD's current GO, there is an exception in 902.2.4 that limits supervisor responsibility if a
complaint of a minor nature is submitted directly to the OPO or IA.
In current APD GO 902.2.4 (b), allegations of a minor nature are to be addressed within one
calendar week. However, with the exception in the policy language that excludes minor
complaints submitted from OPO or IA, OPO has found that complainants are not hearing from
APD supervisors within any standardized timeframe.
No other guidelines in APD's GO indicate the timeframe for minor complaints submitted from
OPO or IA. This burdens OPO staff, IA staff, and community members who file complaints in
good faith and lacks the transparency and consistency that APD affords to minor complaints
that do not come from OPO or IA.
We look forward to addressing the items identified and improving these policies to benefit
the community and APD's sworn personnel.
Sincerely,
Gail McCant
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.
1/2
OF
CITY
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
1839
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 I TTY: 711 I FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
POLICY RECOMMENDATION
902.2.4 INITIAL SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY
Recommendation #1:
OPO recommends APD remove the language that disqualifies OPO complaints from the
standard processes outlined in 902.2.4
OPO believes that removing the language that excludes complaints submitted from OPO or IA
will remove any confusion about APD supervisor responsibilities. Treating all internal and external
complaints of a minor nature identically also allows APD to be fully transparent to and with the
community.
F
902.2.4 INITIAL SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY Unless a complaint is submitted
directly to the OPO or IA, the initial response to an internal or external complaint shall
generally rest with the employee's immediate supervisor.
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.
2/2