Reforms
In this historic moment, the City Manager and City Council have acted on a series of public safety changes.
| Reform | Status |
|---|---|
| Budget Approved | |
| Use of force policies, equipment & technology | In Progress |
| End racial disparities in policing | In Progress |
| Investigate racism within APD | In Progress |
| Sexual assault case investigation process | In Progress |
Description
What's New
March 2022
Police Chief Outlines Plan for Increased Sex Crimes Unit Training
On March 23, 2022, Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon updated City Council on APD's progress towards implementing recommendations from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) to improve APD Sex Crime Unit training. The PERF recommendations, issued in June 2021, are an outcome related to City Council Resolution 20190131-077 focused on improving best practices and outcomes of sexual assault reporting, processing, investigations, and prosecutions. Read Chief Chacon's update memo.
Supplemental Report Provides Additional Analysis of APD Use of Force Cases
On March 16, 2022 Rey Arellano, Assistant City Manager, Public Safety, provided City Council with a supplemental report from Kroll Associates with additional statistical analyses related to arrests, the use of force and circumstances related to use of force involving people with behavioral or mental health issues. The additional data and response to City Council questions were a follow up to Kroll's January presentation outlining the findings of its final evaluation of APD Use of Force / Public Interactions / Recruitment, Selection, and Promotion. Read the supplemental report.
February 2022
Next Police Cadet Class On Track to be Most Diverse in Austin’s History
Austin Police Department (APD) is moving ahead with the 145th cadet class following a successful pilot of a new curriculum and the graduation of 66 new officers as part of the 144th class of the training academy in January 2022. The next class, which is scheduled to start in March, could be the most diverse in APD’s history. Class training will incorporate curriculum changes recommended by independent consultants. Read More.
January 2022
Report offers 'Roadmap' to addressing inequities in Austin Policing
The City of Austin released the second part (Phase B) of an independent analysis studying the impact of racism, discrimination, bigotry, and bias on Austin Police Department (APD) culture, policies, and practices. The 14-month review conducted by Kroll Associates (Kroll), centered on three priority areas:
- Use of force: Analyzing four years of use of force incident data.
- Public interaction with civilians: Analyzing traffic stops, arrests, citations, and searches.
- Recruitment, selection, and promotion policies and practices.
December 2021
APD Sexual Assault Case Investigations and Victim Services Unit Briefing
On December 7, 2021, APD Chief Chacon provided an update to City Council on the department's handling of sexual assault cases and the Victim Services Unit. Watch the presentation.
October 2021
Evaluator Releases Preliminary Assessment of Reimagined APD Training Academy Pilot Class
An independent evaluator, appointed by the City to review and assess progress toward implementing short and long-term recommendations for the 144th and 145th cadet classes of the reimagined police training academy, provided a preliminary assessment to City Council on October 21, 2021. Implementation of the recommendations is key to achieving the goals outlined in the City Manager's Blueprint for the reimagined training academy which prioritize transformative change, increased community involvement, and establishing a culture of adult learning. Watch the preliminary assessment presentation . Watch Police Chief Joseph Chacon's Response. Read the full report.
Office of Police Oversight Report Recommends Changes to APD Use of Force Policies
On October 13, 2021, the Office of Police Oversight released a report titled Community Feedback and Final Recommendations for 8 Can't Wait Policy Initiatives. The report contains recommended changes to the use-of-force policies in the Austin Police Department policy manual and shares community feedback on those policies. Read the report.
RPS Funding and Task Force Recommendations Update
On October 1, 2021 Assistant City Manager Rey Arellano provided an update to City Council regarding an analysis of RPS Task Force recommendations and RPS related funding included in the FY22 budget. Read the update.
September 2021
Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk has named Joseph Chacon as Chief of the Austin Police Department.
Chacon, whose APD career spans more than two decades, has served as Interim Chief since March 2021, following the retirement of former Chief Brian Manley. Prior to that, Chacon served as an Assistant Chief for almost five years, overseeing Patrol, Special Operations, Specialized Patrol, Investigations, Intelligence, Professional Standards and Training/Recruiting.
City Council confirmed Chief Chacon's appointment on Sept 30, 2021.
August 2021
APD Chief Top Three Finalists Announced, Public Meetings Scheduled
Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk has announced the top three finalists for the Chief of Police position out of a field of 46 applicants.
In July, seven candidates were interviewed by three panels which included Community Stakeholders, Law Enforcement Partners, and City of Austin Executives. After consideration and feedback from the panels, City Manager Cronk has identified:
- Joseph Chacon, Interim Chief of Police, Austin Police Department
- Avery L. Moore, Assistant Chief, Dallas Police Department
- Emada E. Tingirides, Deputy Chief, Los Angeles Police Department
Opportunities to meet the top finalists and hear from them have been scheduled for August 18th and 19th. To learn more and access the meeting details, click here.
July 2021
APD Chief Finalists Named
Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk has announced the top seven candidates for the Chief of Police position out of a field of 46 applicants.
Finalists for the position are:
• Joseph Chacon
• Anne Kirkpatrick
• Avery L. Moore
• Celeste Murphy
• Mirtha V. Ramos
• Gordon Ramsay
• Emada E. Tingirides
Click here to read the full press release and learn more about the candidates.
RPS Progress July Report Released
The Reimagining Public Safety Leadership team has released a report outlining progress on key RPS initiatives between April and July 2021. Read the report.
Forensic Science and Emergency Communications Update
In February and April 2021, City Council approved two ordinances authorizing the City Manager to transfer the Forensic Science Division and Emergency Communications Division from the Austin Police Department (APD) and create separate departments. On June 26, 2021, Rey Arellano, Assistant City Manager, Public Safety, provided an update on budgeting and transition of the two divisions in light of recent state legislation. Read the update.
Mental Health Diversion Initiative Implementation Update
The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI) has published an interim report outlining progress on implementation of the Austin CARES program which provides an alternative response to behavioral health emergency calls. The program was created to help the City achieve a goal of safely diverting 100 percent of mental health emergency calls to 911 that do not pose a risk to public safety from a law enforcement response into appropriate care. Read the report.
City Manager Proposes Balanced Budget that Renews Commitment to Public Safety
On July 9, 2021, Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk reinforced the City’s commitment to continuing progress on Reimagining Public Safety (RPS) Initiatives during the presentation of his proposed Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) proposed budget to Mayor and City Council.
“We’ve already made tremendous strides in our efforts to reimagine public safety,” said Cronk. “Our core mission is to ensure that everyone – everyone – no matter who they are or where they live in our community – is valued, is respected, and can count on us to show up for them in a crisis, without fear that they will be treated differently,” he said. Read more.
June 2021
Update on Evaluation of Sexual Assault Investigations
On June 17, Assistant City Manager Rey Arellano provided an update on the ongoing evaluation of how the Austin Police Department investigates and processes reported sexual assaults. In addition to providing information on progress to date and preliminary observations from the evaluation, the update also included a revised scope of work, budget, and timeline for the project.
The team anticipates being able to complete case review in November 2021, and anticipated completion of the final report is now May 2022. The evaluation is an outcome related to City Council Resolution 20190131-077.
APH Names Office of Violence Prevention Manager
On June 28, Interim Director of Austin Public Health Adrienne Sturrup provided the Mayor and City Council with an update on the department's efforts towards the development and implementation of community violence prevention and intervention programming. The update included the announcement of the hiring of Michelle Myles, who will serve as the Manager for the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP). In this role, Myles will lead violence reduction and community safety programs and strategies to meet the specific needs of Austin and Travis County.
Read the full program update here or click here to read more about the new Manager for OVP.
Office of Police Oversight (OPO) Inaugural Annual Report
On June 16, OPO published its inaugural annual report to document and share OPO’s activities and achievements over 2019 and 2020. OPO accomplished its mission by providing impartial oversight, informing the public to increase transparency, and creating sustainable relationships.
To learn more, read the full report on the OPO website (click here).
144th Reimagined Cadet Class Now Underway
One hundred recruits started their journey toward becoming police officers Monday as the Austin Police Department kicked off its 144th cadet class.
To learn more, please read the full press release on the RPS blog.
Reimagined APD Cadet Training Academy on Track to Start on June 7th
The Blueprint to a new Academy called for the completion of 23 specific tasks, of which 17 have been completed, three are expected to be completed by the 7th, and three have begun/will continue throughout the new Academy. For a status report by task, read the full memorandum here.
Read previous updates in the What's New Archive.