OPO Recommendation for Case #2025-01788, Sergeant Matthew Paredes

In response to the external and internal complaints in the case of Sergeant Matthew Paredes, Austin Police Oversight (APO) agrees with the sustained findings of the internal investigation, but objects with the closing of the external complaint. The internal investigation found that Sergeant Paredes violated Austin Police Department (APD) policy when he inadvertently activated his taser while probes were still in contact with a suspect and recommended that he receive an oral reprimand. However, APO found the investigation failed to address potential violations of resistance and de-escalation policies that resulted in injuries to the suspect.