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Public Safety
Police and community groups join to explore how to improve oversight of APD
Austin’s system of police oversight may be more effective than others at promoting long-term change, but there’s still skepticism about the agency, according to a new report. The report from the Office of the Police Monitor notes that agencies like…
Police • By Syeda Hasan • Jun 27, 2018
Audit: Citizen oversight of APD flawed
Although the city’s Citizen Review Panel drafted numerous memos to the chief of police in an attempt to bring about change at the Austin Police Department, its efforts “did not create substantive change” within APD, according to a draft audit…
Police • By Jo Clifton • Jun 22, 2018
Divided Council rejects more pay for police
With only five members voting in favor of the motion, City Council rejected reinstatement of extra pay for certain police officers Thursday night, dashing the hopes of officers who work night shifts, for example. Passage of any ordinance requires six…
Police • By Jo Clifton • Jun 18, 2018
Council confirms Manley as new police chief
City Council unanimously confirmed Brian Manley as the Austin Police Department’s new chief Thursday. Manley has served in an interim role since former Police Chief Art Acevedo left to head up Houston’s police department in 2016. Manley thanked those at…
Police • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jun 15, 2018
Growing opioid abuse crisis draws push for budget requests, partnerships
Looking to head off a public health issue that was repeatedly referred to as a growing crisis, City Council voted Thursday to take the first steps to combat an increase in deaths and abuse of the opioid family of drugs…
Public Health • By Chad Swiatecki • May 25, 2018
Rising insurance costs reignite push for new fire stations in Austin
Homeowners in a Del Valle suburb learned last month that their insurance rates could go up as much as $1,000 this year because they’re too far from the nearest fire station. Concerns about the rising rates have jump-started a push…
Fire • By Nadia Hamdan • May 23, 2018
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Council members: APD should not be allowed to sell guns
In 2016, City Council approved a contract that allowed the Austin Police Department to trade more than 1,700 handguns to an arms dealer as part of a deal to acquire new weapons for police officers. Council Member Alison Alter doesn’t…
Police • By Jack Craver • May 9, 2018
Manley lays out vision for Austin Police in interview with public for permanent chief job
A week ago, Interim Police Chief Brian Manley was tapped by City Manager Spencer Cronk as the sole finalist to be the city’s new permanent police chief, and now Cronk and the city are engaged in a public input process…
Police • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • May 9, 2018
Commission votes to expand Injury Prevention Program
In an effort to support the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Service’s efforts to reduce preventable injuries, the Public Safety Commission passed a motion to fund and expand the county’s Injury Prevention Program at its May 7 meeting. Lisa Sepulveda, Austin-Travis…
Public Safety • By Sommer Brugal • May 8, 2018
Brian Manley is the sole finalist to lead the Austin Police Department permanently
Austin is one step closer to getting a new police chief. City Manager Spencer Cronk said Brian Manley is the sole candidate to take over the reins at the Austin Police Department. Manley served as the longtime second-in-command to his…
Police • By KUT News • May 1, 2018
Dell Med School using grant money for population, teen mental health
A grant of nearly $1 million from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation is paying for a pair of programs at the University of Texas’ Dell Medical School that will attempt to advance treatment of teenage mental health and the…
Public Health • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 27, 2018
Public Safety Commission: Who polices the police?
Last month, members of the Public Safety Commission voiced concerns about the lack of consistent rules or guidelines on investigating senior members of the police, fire and emergency medical services departments for harassment or discrimination. On Monday, a representative of…
