Complaints against APD to be completed by December

The city has set an official timeline and procedure for processing the many complaints that were filed against Austin police officers after the May protests. According to the memo, as of July 9, the Office of Police Oversight has “reviewed over 1,000 complaints and has submitted 275 notices of formal complaint from the public to the Internal Affairs Division (IAD). The Law Department has received seven claims related to personal injury or property damage. As the internal reviews continue, OPO or APD IAD staff may identify additional incidents that warrant processing as a separate complaint.” The city is operating on a strict deadline that requires all investigations to conclude by Nov. 25, 2020. That’s because of the “180 rule” that requires discipline against officers be imposed within 180 days from the date of the incident. In addition, the Austin Police Department is preparing an “after action report” to address the events of May 29, 30 and 31. According to the memo, the recently formed Community Police Review Commission may be up and running in time to provide input on the complaints.