Item 5 - APO Mediation Program Overview — original pdf

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APO Mediation Program Overview Police–community mediation is a structured, voluntary process that helps resolve conflicts between community members and police o(cid:431)icers through dialogue rather than discipline or force. It focuses on rebuilding trust, improving communication, and creating mutually acceptable solutions. Police–community mediation is a confidential, facilitated conversation between a community member and a police o(cid:431)icer, guided by a neutral mediator. It is used when someone files a complaint or when a conflict arises that would benefit from dialogue rather than punitive action. Austin Police Oversight’s (APO) Complaint Mediation Program emphasizes collaboration, respect, and voluntary participation. APO has entered into an Agreement with the Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) to establish a collaborative framework to provide mediation services for interactions between members of the public and APD o(cid:431)icers in which the public has submitted a complaint regarding alleged police misconduct. The goal of mediation is to provide a safe, confidential, and voluntary space where conflicts between complainants and o(cid:431)icers can be communicated openly to work towards mutually acceptable resolutions, facilitated by an impartial third- party mediator. APO’s Mediation Policy will be in compliance with the following directives: 1. 2024 Agreement between City of Austin and the Austin Police Association (APA)  Article 17, Disciplinary Actions, Demotion, & Appeals • Section 16 2 Austin Police Department (APD) General Orders  GO 902.6.5 Investigations Handled Through Mediation 3 Austin Police Oversight (APO) Complaint Division Operational Procedures  Chapter 10 Mediation