20220228-002C: Strengthen Office of Police Oversight — original pdf

Recommendation

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number 20220228-002c: Strengthen Office of Police Oversight Whereas, the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) received modifications to increase the powers of the office in 2018; and Whereas, the City of Austin, and by extension the OPO, recently lost an arbitration case to the Austin Police Association and thereby restricting the OPO’s ability to complete its oversight responsibilities of Austin police officers; and Whereas, the current contract between the city and the police union is set to expire this year; Now therefore be it resolved, that the City of Austin Human Rights Commission encourages the Austin City Council and the City Manager to insist that the new contract with the Austin Police Association include provisions strengthening and extending the powers of the Office of Police Oversight to investigate issues arising out of any possible violations by individuals employed by the Austin Police Department. Date of Approval: February 28, 2022 Record of the vote: 6-0; Chair Davis motion, Commissioner Garry Brown second. Voting in favor were Chair Davis, Vice Chair Casas, Commissioner Areche, Commissioner Brienzi, Commissioner Garry Brown, and Commissioner Weigel. Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Jamarr Brown, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Griffith, and Commissioner Museitif were absent. Attest: Jonathan Babiak Jonathan Babiak, Staff Liaison