1. 2. REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION May 6, 2024 at 4:00 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM #1101 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Public Safety Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Christi Vitela, 512- 974-2792, christi.vitela@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Nelly Paulina Ramírez, Chair Timothy Ruttan, Vice Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Cory Hall-Martin Paul Hermesmeyer David Holmes AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Pierre Nguyễn Kristy Orr Angelica Reyes Michael Sierra-Arévalo Yasmine Smith The first five speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on April 1, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin Fire Department. 3. 4. Cadet Training/Academy Update and Kroll Report Review with Austin Police Department. Weather Preparedness and Inclement Weather Procedures with Public Safety Departments and the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM). FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Christi Vitela at the Office of the City Clerk Department, at 512-974-2792 for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Public Safety Commission, please contact Christi Vitela at (512-974- 2792 or christi.vitela@austintexas.gov).
Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, April 1, 2024 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Monday, April 1, 2024 The Public Safety Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Monday, April 1, 2024, at City Hall Building, Boards and Commissions Room, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Ramírez called the Public Safety Commission Meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Nelly Paulina Ramírez, Chair Rebecca Bernhardt, Vice-Chair Cory Hall-Martin Paul Hermesmeyer David Holmes Pierre Nguyễn Angelica Reyes Timothy Ruttan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Yasmine Smith PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on March 4, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of 03/04/2024, were approved on Commissioner Holmes’ motion, Commissioner Nguyễn’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Bernhardt and Ruttan were off the dais. Commissioner Orr was absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin Police Department Presentation was given by Jeff Greenwalt, Assistant Chief, Austin Police Department. 1 Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, April 1, 2024 3. Overview of Downtown Austin Community Court and Mobile Court Pilot Program from Robert Kingham, Court Administrator and Christopher Anderson, Court Operations Manager. Presentations were given by Robert Kingham, Court Administrator, and Christopher Anderson, Court Operations Manager, Downtown Austin Community Court. Commissioner Ruttan requested data to justify a budget increase to fund positions and increase service hours at the DACC. Robert Kingham will work on providing data from ECHO. Chair Ramírez asked for the budget recommendation from the DACC Advisory Board be shared with the Public Safety Commission. 4. Update on the Biannual Wildfire Readiness provided by Division Chief Carrie Stewart and Wildfire Mitigation Officer Justice Jones of the Austin Fire Department. Presentations were given by Jeff Kennedy, Assistant Chief, and Justice Jones, Wildfire Mitigation Officer, Austin Fire Department. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair. The motion to approve Commissioner Ruttan as Vice Chair was made by Commissioner Nguyễn and seconded by Commissioner Bernhardt, approved on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Orr was absent. The motion to approve Commissioner Ramírez as Chair was made by Commissioner Ramírez and seconded by Commissioner Hall-Martin, approved on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Orr was absent. 6. CSCRM Joint Working Group update on Commission for Women's recommendation and WORKING GROUP UPDATES status. Chair Ramírez provided an update. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 2 Monday, …
Austin Fire Department | Public Safety Commission Quarterly Report May 2, 2024 Public Safety Commission Austin Fire Department Quarterly Report FY24 Q2 Data Fire Operations Requests for Service Q2 Comparison - By Council District (All incidents, regardless of priority) 3,500 3,337 3,209 3,148 3,206 2,833 2,684 2,567 2,390 2,586 2,495 3,662 3,397 3,061 2,873 1,914 1,695 1,439 1,430 1,902 1,853 4,000 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0 District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 District 8 District 9 District 10 FY23 Q2 FY24 Q2 Requests for Service Q2 Comparison - By Call Type (All incidents, regardless of priority) 1,788 1,943 FY24 Q2 FY23 Q2 16,544 17,051 113 164 6,888 109 143 6,938 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Fire Medical Rescue HazMat Other This document was created by the Austin Fire Department Research & Data Analytics section. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy. Austin Fire Department | Public Safety Commission Quarterly Report May 2, 2024 Emergency Incidents Q2 Comparison - By Council District (Includes Priority 1, 2, 3, and 4M responses) 2,156 2,064 2,027 2,088 1,837 1,613 1,702 1,598 1,600 1,507 1,791 1,774 1,843 1,795 1,077 1,002 835 797 939 971 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0 District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 District 8 District 9 District 10 FY23 Q2 FY24 Q2 Emergency Incidents Q2 Comparison - By Call Type (Includes Priority 1, 2, 3, and 4M responses) 1,586 1,809 FY24 Q2 FY23 Q2 13,862 14,187 87 152 282 103 144 231 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Fire Medical Rescue HazMat Other FY23 Q3 FY23 Q4 FY24 Q1 FY24 Q2 Response Time Response Time Response Time Incidents Incidents Incidents Incidents Response Time District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 District 8 District 9 District 10 10:22 10:58 10:39 10:00 09:51 11:16 10:17 10:48 08:46 10:43 2,136 1,742 1,968 1,667 1,550 971 1,638 750 1,891 898 10:23 11:03 10:26 10:33 09:56 01:14 10:10 11:11 08:52 10:39 2,311 1,796 2,138 1,736 1,547 1,034 1,745 805 2,083 1,009 10:31 11:10 10:08 10:16 9:48 11:03 10:12 10:52 8:52 10:30 2,361 2,046 2,187 1,751 1,571 1,098 1,846 803 1,888 1,048 10:36 11:16 10:54 10:35 10:17 11:07 10:24 11:07 09:16 10:20 2,064 1,613 2,088 1,598 1,507 1,002 1,774 797 …
AUSTIN FIRE Public Safety Commission Meeting FY24 Q2 Assistant Chief Jeffrey Kennedy 1 N e w F i r e S t a t i o n 5 3 N o w O p e n ! • Located in Goodnight Ranch neighborhood, in District 2. • Shared facility with ATCEMS Medic 42 • New Engine 53 went into service January 28 and operated out of Station 24 until the new station opened. • New Station 53 opened on February 16 with an Engine and Brush Truck. 2 N e w F i r e S t a t i o n 5 4 a t C a n y o n C r e e k Located in Council District 10 and will be a shared facility with ATCEMS. Expected completion: Winter 2024 Recent updates: • Broke ground on January 30, 2024. • Abatement work and demolition completed mid-January 2024. • Foundation is poured and steel is going up. 3 F i r e S t a t i o n D e f e r r e d M a i n t e n a n c e a n d P r o j e c t s Station 22 – Expected completion: Late May 2024. • Engine 22 and Ladder 22 are at Station 35. Station 1 – Expected Completion: Summer 2024. • Engine 1 and Ladder 1 are at at 314 W 11th Street. • Engine 13 is at Station 6 at 1705 S. Congress Ave. Stations 8, 23, 25 – Expected completion: Fall 2024. • Engine 8 is on-site; Ladder 8 is at Station 30. • Engine 23 is in a trailer at 8700 Cameron Road. • Engine 25 is at Station 44. Improvements to these stations: • Complete renovation with upgrades to utilities, technology, and living spaces Individual bedrooms and gender-neutral bathrooms • Will seek to achieve LEED Silver Designations • • Technological advancements include Advanced Alerting for multi-company fatigue reduction, EV Charging Stations, and Noise Reduction Insulations 4 A u t o m a t i c A i d Automatic Aid: Interlocal agreement to dispatch the closest unit to a 911 call, regardless of department or jurisdiction. Automatic Aid Successes: • Auto Aid occurs multiple times per day and greatly contributes to decreased response times Austin and Travis County. • Several incidents with Westlake in the past 6 months have …
“We Build and Educate the Finest Officers in the Nation.” Austin Police Department Training Academy Long-Term Processes to Sustain Reform Measures PSC Questions PSC Questions posed to APD: Improvements since the Last Presentation Update on Curriculum Review Committee Academy Process Overview of the Final Kroll Report Review and Follow up on Remaining Improvements Improvements since March 25, 2024 Finalized Pre-Academy Schedule Hired e-Learning Team Supervisor Submitted funding request for PAC Posted remaining Civilian team positions Began absorption of Field Training Program Continuing Curriculum Review Designed the New PT Program Highlights include: • Added emphasis on officer wellness & resiliency to Pre- Academy • Reallocated 22 hours of the Community Connect and Engagement Programming into the Pre-Academy • Hired and promoted six staff • Reporting Cadet Academy statistics on the Open Data Portal Curriculum Review Committee • Professional Advisory Committee Provides Subject Matter Expertise in the APD curriculum Implement foundational recommendations to enable the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Cadet Curriculum • Monitor, evaluate, and refine curriculum • recommendations Community Advisory Committee Provides the balance between the APD PAC and the Community • Ongoing holistic review and • improvement recommendations for APD Police Academy Foster a culture of continuous improvement • Now – FY24 Mid FY25 - Ongoing Progress Reporting, Stakeholder Engagement, & Change Management Professional Advisory Committee Academy Workgroup Training Academy Commander Program Manager III • • • Cadet Training Unit Lieutenant • Advanced Education Unit Lieutenant* • Assigned Lead Instructor(s) • CID Supervisor • • FTCCP Supervisor TCOLE representative Subject Matter Expert Workgroup • Victim Services Representative • Wellness Representative • DEIB Representative • Contracted Subject Matter Experts • • Office of Police Oversight Representative External SME(s) Now – FY24 Progress Reporting, Stakeholder Engagement, & Change Management Curriculum Review Committee Professional Advisory Committee First Meeting on May 7th, 2024 • Community Advisory Committee • CAC will be developed beginning in last quarter of 2024. Now – FY24 FY25 - Ongoing Progress Reporting, Stakeholder Engagement, & Change Management Academy Operational Phases Phase 1: Foundational Planning & Logistics Implement foundational recommendations necessary to enable development, implementation, and evaluation of remaining process recommendations Phase 2: Ongoing Implementation Develop and implement remaining recommendations Progressive implementation strategy based on resource availability, dependencies, and prioritization • Monitor, evaluate, and refine implemented recommendations • Monitor, evaluate, and refine implemented recommendations • • • Phase 3: Evaluation & Continuous Improvement • • In-depth reports on performance …
M E M O R A N D U M TO: Mayor and Council Members FROM: Bruce Mills, Interim Assistant City Manager DATE: March 22, 2024 SUBJECT: Kroll Report – Assessment of APD Training Academy’s Long-Term Processes to Sustain Reform Measures I am providing this memo to transmit Kroll’s report, Assessment of APD Training Academy’s Long-Term Processes to Sustain Reform Measures. The Audit Protocol Guidelines and Austin Police Department’s (APD) Training Academy Operations Manual are also attached. The APD Training Academy staff will be presenting on long-term processes and sustained reform efforts to the Public Safety Committee at a special called meeting on Monday, March 25, 2024. Should you have questions please contact Assistant Chief Gizette Gaslin at gizette.gaslin@austintexas.gov. cc: Jesús Garza, Interim City Manager Chief Robin Henderson, Austin Police Department Page 1 of 1 Assessment of APD Training Academy’s Long-Term Processes to Sustain Reform Measures Prepared for City of Austin, Office of Police Oversight / City Manager’s Office February 20, 2024 Status Final Report Kroll Associates, Inc. 2000 Market Street, Suite 2700 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Kroll.com Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 1 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................... 3 3. ASSESSMENT OF ACADEMY PROCESSES TO SUSTAIN REFORM EFFORTS .................... 8 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 Partnering and Co-Instructing with External Subject-Matter Experts ........................... 9 Incorporating Adult/Active Learning Concepts into Course Instruction ...................... 10 Community Involvement in Academy Instruction ....................................................... 11 Academy Instructor Evaluations ................................................................................. 14 Roles and Responsibilities of Civilian Staff ................................................................ 15 Academy Diversity ...................................................................................................... 17 Academy Culture ........................................................................................................ 18 Cadet Exit Interviews and Separation Process .......................................................... 19 Field Training Officer Program ................................................................................... 19 3.10 Advanced Education of Active APD Personnel .......................................................... 20 3.11 Academy Video Library and Internal Review Process ............................................... 20 3.12 Scheduling Coordination ............................................................................................ 21 3.13 Cadet Separations - Disqualifications and Terminations ........................................... 22 3.14 Active Bystander for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Training ........................................... 22 3.15 Procedural Justice ...................................................................................................... 22 3.16 Cognitive Decision Making and Emotional Intelligence .............................................. 23 3.17 Trauma-Informed Training .......................................................................................... 23 3.18 Physical Fitness and Health/Wellness Training ......................................................... 24 3.19 ACADIS and Learning Management System ............................................................. 25 3.20 Cadet Mentorship Program ........................................................................................ 25 3.21 Recovery Time for Academy Staff .............................................................................. 25 3.22 Internal Audit Protocols .............................................................................................. 26 4. RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................................................................ 28 5. APPENDIX ................................................................................................................................... 31 Kroll Project Team ................................................................................................................... 31 ATTACHMENT A: APD Training Academy Operations Manual ATTACHMENT B: Kroll Audit Protocol Guidelines 1. INTRODUCTION On March 23, 2023, the City of Austin, …
RESOLUTION NO. 20191205-066 WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committed to undoing its racist past and combatting and denouncing racism in present-day Austin; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin acknowledges that the history of bigotry and discrimination has contributed to racially disparate outcomes in policing and policy; and WHEREAS, the Center for Policing Equity found in 2016 that the Austin Police Department (APD) was more likely to use force in communities where more African- Americans and Latinos live, and when force was used, APD was more likely to use more severe force in communities where African-Americans and Latinos live, even after controlling for factors such as community crime and poverty rates; and WHEREAS, the APD's state-mandated racial profiling reports consistently show that Black and Latino drivers are more than twice as likely to be searched as their white counterparts during traffic stops despite similar "hit rates", including in 2018 where 6% of traffic stops ofwhite drivers resulted in a police searches compared to 14% for Latino drivers and 17% for Black drivers; and WHEREAS, APD data provided per Council Resolution No. 20180614-073 (one of the Freedom City Resolutions) showed that in 2017 APD police officers made discretionary arrests of Black people at more than twice the rate of either white or Latino residents; and Page 1 of 12 WHEREAS, that same 2017 data also showed Black and Latino residents accounted for just under 75% of those discretionary arrests for driving with an invalid license, although the two groups combine to make up less than 45% of Austin's population; and WHEREAS, that same 2017 data also showed that one out ofthree discretionary arrests for misdemeanor marijuana possession involved a Black resident even though less than one in ten Austinites is Black, though usage rates of marijuana are similar across racial groups; and WHEREAS, per the quarterly report for Council Resolution No. 20180614-073, issued by APD on May 3, 2019, Black people still comprised 32% of persons arrested by APD for offenses eligible for citation, which, proportionally, amounts to more than three times Austin's Black population; and WHEREAS, an anonymous whistle-blower has recently accused an Assistant Chief of the Austin Police Department of using racist epithets and derogatory terms, including "negro" and "nigger," to refer to specific Black elected officials and sworn officers of the Austin Police Department; and WHEREAS, following the public release of the anonymous complaint and subsequent resignation ofthe …
City of Austin Homeland Security & Emergency Management Weather Preparedness Update 6 May 2024 Ken Snipes, Director Homeland Security & Emergency Management Agenda • Know Your Risk: All Hazards Approach • Community Outreach • Neighborhood Guidebook • District Pop-Up Events • Get Ready Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Fair • Training • Community Partners • Preparedness • Staying Informed Know Your Risk: All Hazards Approach All Hazards Approach: Being prepared for a multitude of scenarios, not just natural disasters. • Flooding: Austin is in Flash Flood Alley • Wildfire: Dry zones, especially during droughts. • Severe Weather: Includes tornadoes, which can strike at any • Extreme Heat: Soaring temperatures pose health threats • Winter Weather: Icy conditions, freezing temperatures, and • Hurricanes: Coast can bring in storms and heavy rainfall time snow Other Risks • Biological: Outbreak of diseases or bio-terrorism threats • Chemical: Exposure to toxic substances or chemical attacks • Terrorist Threats: Acts of extremism or targeted violence Community Outreach • Neighborhood Preparedness Guide • Ways to help you plan for hazards • Tools to build and emergency supply kit • Resources for making emergency plan for your family • Template for how to help your neighborhood plan for emergencies • Community Events • Monthly Pop-Up Emergency Preparedness Events (January – November) with Spanish and ASL interpreters available Learn about how other City Departments can help during an emergency • Community Outreach Get Ready Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Fair Every September: • Learn about preparedness from different City Departments and other community partners. • Hosted in 2023 at the Austin ACC East Branch and had 200 visitors. • HSEM offered Go Bag starter kits and weather radios. • Austin Water gives away water keys to participants. Training Ready Together: The Basics of Emergency Preparedness for You, Your Family & Your Neighborhood • HSEM debuted a new community resource in September with in-person course on emergency preparedness. The community can learn from experts about the 4 steps of preparedness: make a plan, build a kit, know your neighbors, and stay informed. • We are offering quarterly training in 2024. • To register, go to ReadyCentralTexas.org and visit our education and training section. Training Senior Level Training • HSEM has coordinated training for senior leadership, including elected officials. These trainings include the Winter Weather Tabletop Exercise and Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) in College Station. Community Partners • Ascension Seton …
Public Safety Commission - Questions & Answers PENDING QUESTIONS: May 6, 2024 Item 2. Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin Fire Department. 1. Are there fire extinguishers being distributed to encampments? If so, how many and can you provide some additional information on that distribution. 2. When will an analysis of the most recent overdose uptick be available for the community and updated to the dashboard? 3. Cancer PFOS/foam mitigation and tracking information
Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, May 6, 2024 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Monday, May 6, 2024 The Public Safety Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Monday, May 6, 2024, at City Hall Building, Boards and Commissions Room, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Ramírez called the Public Safety Commission Meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Nelly Paulina Ramírez, Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Cory Hall-Martin Paul Hermesmeyer David Holmes Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Kristy Orr Michael Sierra-Arévalo Yasmine Smith PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on April 1, 2024. The minutes from the meeting on 04/01/2024, were approved on Commissioner Bernhardt’s motion, Commissioner Hall-Martin’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Orr and Sierra-Arévalo were off the dais. Vice Chair Ruttan and Commissioners Nguyễn and Reyes were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin Fire Department Presentation was given by Jeff Kennedy, Assistant Chief, Austin Fire Department. 1 Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, May 6, 2024 Commissioner Smith asked if fire extinguishers are being distributed to encampments. If so, how many and can AFD provide some additional information on that distribution. Commissioner Smith asked for a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis for the most recent overdose uptick be available for the community and updated to the dashboard. Commissioner Bernhardt asked for information on Cancer Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS)/foam mitigation and information tracking. 3. Overview Cadet Training/Academy Update and Kroll Report Review with Austin Police Department. Presentations were given by Rob McGrath, Program Manager III, Austin Police Department and Michael Chancellor, Commander, Austin Police Department. The motion to approve to allow the speaker to finish their comments was approved on Commissioner Smith’s motion, Commissioner Hermesmeyer’s second on a vote of 8-0. Vice Chair Ruttan, Commissioners Nguyễn and Reyes were absent. 4. Update on the Weather Preparedness and Inclement Weather Procedures with Public Safety Departments and the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM). Presentation was given by Ken Snipes, Director, Office of Emergency Management. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Use of known carcinogens and cancer monitoring at AFD (Chair Ramírez, Commissioner Bernhardt) Worker’s Compensation for all sworn personnel Community Police Review Commission, Office of Police Oversight Department demographics Wildfire Preparedness as it relates to those experiencing homelessness Homeland Security and Emergency Management update on communications 2 Public …
