Rewriting APD's Rules & Policies: Use of Force
This project page is no longer taking submissions. You may contact the project team for more information. Thank you.
Previously, we collected feedback on policies related to the use of force. These policies cover things like how and when officers use their guns. This survey was available from April 22, 2021 until May 31, 2021. To learn more about the final community feedback results and policy recommendations, read the report.
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Austin's City Council and City Manager want to know your opinion on Austin Police Department (APD)policies. Currently, the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) is requesting feedback on policies related to the use of force. These policies cover things like how and when officers use their guns.
OPO will organize community feedback into a report and submit it to the City Manager, City Council, and the Austin Police Department.
Background:
The City Manager directed OPO to help rewrite the Austin Police Department General Orders, which are APD’s policies. This rewrite will cover all policy areas, including issues like search and seizure, body-worn cameras, dash cameras, mental health response, discipline, bias, language, and courtesy.
OPO recommends that the General Orders rewrite start with the policies that have the most impact on officers' interactions with the public. Any time a police officer uses physical force or a weapon during an interaction, it creates a safety risk to both the officer and the community member. Community members have been vocal about prioritizing use-of-force policies after recent officer-involved shootings.