Item 1: CPRC Minutes 12222025 - Pending Approval — original pdf

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Community Police Review Commission – Meeting Minutes Monday, December 22, 2025 COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW COMMISSION (CPRC) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2025 The Community Police Review Commission convened for a Special Called meeting on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 1001, located at 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Chair Carlos Greaves called the Community Police Review Commission meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Carlos Greaves, Chair Ruben De La Paz (arrived at 3:53 p.m.) Darrick Eugene Christopher Harris Lauren Peña Lee Peterman Kathy Russell Commissioners Absent: Laura Cortes Franco, Vice Chair Bob Felton Terry Flood Harold Powell PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of the minutes of the Community Police Review Commission Regular Meeting of October 10, 2025. The minutes were approved at the Monday, December 22, 2025, Special Called meeting on a motion by Chair Greaves, seconded by Commissioner Harris, and passed unanimously with a 6–0 vote, with Vice Chair Laura Cortes Franco and Commissioners Bob Felton, Terry Flood, Ruben De La Paz, and Harold Powell absent. 1 Community Police Review Commission – Meeting Minutes Monday, December 22, 2025 STAFF BRIEFING 2. Staff briefing regarding progress on coordination with the Austin Police Department Police Technology Unit related to development of an internal drive for CPRC access to case files, including a review of minimum required commissioner training and equipment needed for system access. Ryan Alvarez from Austin Police Oversight (CPRC staff liaison) provided a briefing on the secure SharePoint system being developed to give commissioners access to case files. Four commissioners have completed training, with remaining commissioners scheduled to complete it by early January. Training includes setting up City of Austin accounts, accessing case folders, and ensuring that body-worn camera files are accessible for viewing. Commissioners Harris and Greaves confirmed successful system access, which will allow small working groups to review cases and provide feedback on investigation thoroughness. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. Staff briefing regarding the Executive Liaison monthly update from Austin Police Oversight Director Gail McCant, including a summary of the December 9, 2025, Austin Police Oversight presentation to the Mayor, City Manager, and City Council. Deputy Director Kevin Masters from Austin Police Oversight provided the Executive Liaison monthly update, including a summary of the December 9, 2025, presentation of the 2024 Annual Report to the Mayor, City Manager, and City Council. The update included division reports on data, policy reviews, complaints, and community engagement, as well as follow-up on Council questions. Upcoming 2025 initiatives highlighted included the Officer-Involved Shootings dashboard, updates to the Know Your Rights campaign, and a mediation program. Commissioners were encouraged to participate in community surveys and forums, and staff emphasized that the Office functions as a procedural justice liaison, maintaining transparency and public engagement. Discussion of the Case Review Working Group (Commissioners Flood and Cortez- Franco), including progress to date and initial observations or insights. Chair Greaves provided an update on the Case Review Working Group, which is responsible for triaging cases investigated by the Austin Police Department and Austin Police Oversight. The group reviews cases of community concern, including sensitive matters and complaints beyond excessive force, and prioritizes them for further review or potential investigation. Discussion of Case Review Working Group B’s experience reviewing a case file, including observations related to access, usability of case materials, and potential approaches for discussion, deliberation, presentation to the full Commission, and summarization of recommendations. Chair Greaves provided an update on Case Review Working Group B’s experience reviewing a case file. The group conducted a detailed review to evaluate access, usability of case materials, and the process for deliberation. Commissioners were reminded that reviewing each case can be time-consuming, with files including audio, video, and redacted documents. The working group’s briefings will occur in closed session, with summaries and recommendations later presented to the full Commission in open session. Commissioners were advised to complete required SharePoint training to access case files, and staff will 2 Community Police Review Commission – Meeting Minutes Monday, December 22, 2025 6. 7. assign commissioners to specific working groups to facilitate review and ensure confidentiality. Discussion of Austin Police Department compliance with City Code Chapter 2-15-5 (Duties of the Police Chief), including Section 2-15-5(B) and internal efforts related to Sections 2-15- 5(D) and (E). Chair Greaves led a discussion on APD compliance with City Code Chapter 2-15-5, including Sections 2-15-5(B), (D), and (E). The discussion focused on ensuring that the Police Chief considers recommendations from Austin Police Oversight (APO) and the Commission before publicizing case outcomes. Chair Greaves proposed measures to improve compliance and transparency, including: • Publishing all responses in a searchable public database with timestamps. • Adding a quarterly agenda item for the Commission to review Chief responses. • Annual compliance reports by the City Auditor or neutral party. • Establishing a formal grievance process to flag potential non-compliance with the 90-day response rule. Deputy Director Kevin Masters and APD representatives acknowledged potential timing challenges due to case processing and chain-of-command timelines, noting that APO is integrated into internal affairs investigations and tracks cases for review. Austin Police Chief of Staff Robin Henderson and Commander Michael Burgeson introduced themselves and confirmed procedures for notification and coordination between APO, CPRC, and APD to prevent premature public release of disciplinary decisions. Commissioners discussed triaging cases and the feasibility of reviewing all cases versus a prioritized subset. APD confirmed most cases are current within 180 days, with some older cases awaiting external processes. Discussion of drafting a “CPRC Year One” summary of accomplishments and challenges for potential communication to the City Council and City Manager. Chair Greaves introduced the requirement under Section 2-15-4(D)(7) for the Commission to produce a summary of its first-year accomplishments and challenges for potential communication to the City Council, City Manager, and the public. Commissioners discussed the scope and content of the summary and the need for volunteer support. Commissioner Harris volunteered to draft the initial summary, with Commissioner Peterman offering assistance. Chair Greaves suggested using past agendas and meeting records to help compile the summary. Commissioners agreed to review the draft collaboratively and aim to have a preliminary version prepared for discussion at the next Commission meeting. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 8. Approval of a recommendation to invite the Austin Police Chief to a future CPRC meeting to discuss efforts undertaken by APD to comply with Chapter 2-15 (Police Oversight). Chair Greaves introduced a recommendation to invite the Austin Police Chief to discuss APD’s compliance with Chapter 2-15 of the City Code. Commissioners expressed support, 3 Community Police Review Commission – Meeting Minutes Monday, December 22, 2025 noting the Chief could outline her role and collaboration with the Austin Police Oversight and the Commission. It was suggested that the Chief’s appearance occur after the 90-day response window to the recent APO recommendation (due March), making the April meeting appropriate. Including Austin Police Chief of Staff Robin Henderson was also suggested. A motion to invite the Police Chief to the April meeting was made by Commissioner Darrick Eugene, seconded by Commissioner Lauren Pena, and approved with a 6-1 vote, with Chair Greaves opposing. It was noted that Commissioners will receive training and access to case files immediately upon assignment to a working group. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • 2026 CPRC Meeting Schedule ADJOURNMENT Chair Carlos Greaves adjourned the meeting at 4:06 p.m. without objection. 4