Police oversight reports and recommendations
Part of the mission of the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) is to increase transparency and accountability. We publish official reports to keep the community up to date on the work we do.
Report: 2018 Officer-Involved Shooting, June 2020
This report analyzes Austin Police Department officer-involved shootings (OIS) taking place in 2018, focused on analyzing data and patterns related to these events. The data clearly reveals a disparate concentration of OIS incidents affecting individuals who are ethnic minorities, as well as areas of Austin that are historically minority majority.
Formal objection: revisions to general order 903
The Office of Police Oversight has submitted an objection to the March 16, 2020 changes made to Austin Police Department General Order 903. These changes reduce the discipline level for violations of body worn camera systems and digital mobile audio and video recording policies. The OPO contends that the changes undermine the discipline process by downplaying significant policy violations.
Additional Analysis of APD Racial Profiling Data: Reasons for 2018 Motor Vehicle Stops
In January 2020, the Office of Police Oversight, the Office of Innovation, and the Equity Office released "Joint Report: Analysis of APD Racial Profiling Data," which examined the Austin Police Department's motor vehicle stop data from 2015 to 2018. This addendum provides more data analysis on the reasons for motor vehicle stops in 2018.
Memo and community feedback report on "Community Conversation: Race and Policing in Austin" event
On February 22, 2020, the Office of Police Oversight, Office of Innovation, and Equity Office hosted an event to listen to and gather community feedback regarding the findings of the January 2020 "Joint Report: Analysis of APD Racial Profiling Data." This PDF includes a memo with a high-level summary of the community feedback from the event and recommendations for action and next steps, as well as the full community feedback report.
Formal objection: revisions to general orders
The Office of Police Oversight has submitted an objection to the recent changes in Austin Police Department General Orders 902. These general orders concern the handling of administrative investigations. The OPO contends the revisions undermine their ability to perform oversight and provide transparency to the public.
Recommendation: Austin Police Department training curriculum
The Office of Police Oversight partnered with UT School of Law to develop a new curriculum for the Austin Police Department Training Academy. The purpose of the course is to provide historical context to interactions between future and current officers and the communities they serve.
Joint Report: Analysis of Racial Profiling Data, January 2020
This report analyzes Austin Police Department motor vehicle stop data from 2015 to 2018, focusing on the race and ethnicity of the people pulled over. The report concludes that Black/African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos in Austin are disproportionately stopped in their motor vehicles. This report is a collaboration between the Office of Police Oversight, the Office of Innovation, and the Equity Office.
End of year review
In this review, the OPO reflects on our first year. We have made a number of changes to ensure we meet the expectations of the community. This includes redefining the mission to focus on three critical areas: providing impartial oversight, increasing transparency, and building partnerships. We will issue a more comprehensive annual report in 2020.