REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION Monday, October 6, 2025, 4:00 PM Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room, #1101 301 West 2nd Street Austin, Texas 78701 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 or in person, call or email Christi Vitela, 512-974-2792, christi.vitela@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Nelly Paulina Ramírez, Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Angel Carroll Enrique Duran II Kimberly Hidrogo David Holmes Timothy Ruttan, Vice Chair Pierre Nguyễn Kristy Orr Michael Sierra-Arévalo Yasmine Smith AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 1. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on September 8, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. Public Safety Quarterly Report, including an update on car burglaries and the G-File Public Information Requests, Austin Police Department. Presentation regarding severe weather preparedness and evacuation planning. Presentation by Jim Redick, Director, Homeland Security and Emergency Management. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from the Public Safety Commission’s Collective Sex Crimes Response Model Working Group on the progress, risks, and adjustments to reporting schedule of data. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. 7. 8. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding implementation, tracking, and transparency of recommendations made for Austin Police Department’s Cadet Training Academy. Approve the Public Safety Commission’s 2026 Regular Meeting Schedule. Approve a Public Safety Commission representative to the Downtown Commission. Approve updates to the membership of the Bylaws Working Group. 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 …
Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, September 8, 2025 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Monday, September 8, 2025 The Public Safety Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Monday, September 8, 2025, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Ramírez called the Public Safety Commission Meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Nelly Paulina Ramírez, Chair Tim Ruttan, Vice Chair Rebecca Bernhardt Enrique Duran II Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Angel Carroll David Holmes Kristy Orr Michael Sierra-Arévalo PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. 2. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on July 7, 2025. The motion to approve the minutes from the meeting on July 7, 2025, was approved on Commissioner Duran’s motion, Commissioner Sierra-Arévalo’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Bernhardt and Carroll were off the dais. Commissioners Hidrogo, Nguyễn, and Smith were absent. Approve the minutes of the Public Safety Commission regular meeting on August 4, 2025. The motion to approve the minutes from the meeting on August 4, 2025, was approved on Commissioner Duran’s motion, Commissioner Sierra-Arévalo’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Hidrogo, Nguyễn, and Smith were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Public Safety Quarterly Report, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services. 1 Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, September 8, 2025 4. 5. The presentation was made by Wesley Hopkins, Chief of Staff, Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services. Introduction and overview of the Forensic Science Department. Presentation by Dr. Dana Kadavy, Director, Forensic Science Department. The presentation was made by Dr. Dana Kadavy, Director, Austin Forensic Science Department. Discussion of the Office of Police Oversight's compliance with the Austin Police Oversight Act and Resolution 20230921-099. Discussed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding the review of the Office of Police Oversight’s compliance with the Austin Police Oversight Act. The motion to approve Recommendation to Council regarding the review of the Office of Police Oversight’s compliance with the Austin Police Oversight Act was made by Commissioner Bernhardt and seconded by Commissioner Carroll. The motion to amend was made by Commissioner Carroll and seconded by Commissioner Bernhardt. The amendment was to add a fifth bullet point to page 4 as follows: “Responses to questions read on the record at the September 8, 2025 Regular Called Meeting of the Public Safety Commission be made publicly available. …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION Recommendation 20251006-005: Date: October 6, 2025 Subject: Implementation, tracking and transparency of recommendations made for Austin Police Department’s Cadet Training Academy Motioned by: Seconded by: WHEREAS, The Austin Public Safety Commission is tasked with reviewing public safety agency budgets and providing policy recommendations to the Austin City Council; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin in conjunction with Austin community members developed a comprehensive plan for reimagining public safety; and WHEREAS, in 2018, multiple former cadets from the Austin Police Academy notified the Austin Police Department of academy curricula they believed was strongly focused on dominance, aggression, and violence in keeping with a “warrior” approach to policing; and WHEREAS a 2020 lawsuit against the City of Austin, the Austin Police Department, and the chief of the Austin Police detailed at least 8 cadets fell ill in APD academy training as a result of policy violations and improperly implemented “Stress Reaction Training,”; and WHEREAS, City Council Resolution 66, the work of the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force, and the 2020 Strategic Plan of the APD Training Academy articulate the goal of realizing an Austin Police Academy that transparently addresses issues of racial and gender equity, emphasizes de-escalation tactics that minimize the use of force, and moves away from a regimented, paramilitary culture into an academy which incorporates community partnerships and current evidence-based strategies for the learning of current and future officers; and WHEREAS, on November 12, 2020, the City of Austin’s Office of Police Oversight (OPO), in consultation with the City Manager's Office, retained Kroll Associates, Inc. to review and evaluate the Austin Police Department on the extent to which forms of racism, bigotry, and discrimination are present in the protocols, practices, and behaviors of the APD, beginning with an assessment of the APD training academy; and WHEREAS, Kroll’s assessment of the APD Training Academy recommended: 1. The APD academy shift away from stress-oriented military-style curricula toward a resiliency- based approach supported by adult learning and student-centered instructions 2. That adoption of a “guardian” approach that emphasizes service to the community 3. That APD become an evidence-based learning organization that rigorously tests changes to its training and shares research findings with Academy staff to continually improve Academy curricula; and WHEREAS, Kroll’s assessment recommended several measures for immediate implementation, including (but not limited to): 1. Hiring and onboarding a Training Supervisor to work with the Division Manager in updating and …
Public Safety Commission 2026 Regular Meeting Schedule 1st Monday of each month at 4:00 pm 1. January 5, 2026 2. February 2, 2026 3. March 2, 2026 4. April 6, 2026 5. May 4, 2026 6. June 1, 2026 7. July 6, 2026 8. August 3, 2026 9. September 14, 2026* 10. October 5, 2026 11. November 2, 2026 12. December 7, 2026 *revised due to holiday
APD Training Academy 154th Cadet Class Final Report Prepared by Madison K. Doyle, Ph.D. Research Analyst Sr 1 Overview Executive Summary The 154th Cadet Class of the Austin Police Department (APD) Training Academy commenced on January 6, 2025, and concluded on August 29, 2025. This class began with 73 cadets, of which 35 successfully graduated, resulting in a graduation rate of 48%. This class faced retention-related challenges, primarily due to personal reasons and physical preparedness. Notably, though, most cadets (separated and graduated) reported having a positive overall experience and expressed a willingness to recommend the APD Academy to others. 154th Cadet Class Highlights • Attrition was concentrated at the beginning of the academy, with nearly half of the separations occurring in the first four weeks. • Most cadets were in their 20s, (77%) and male (81%). • Graduation rates varied some between demographic groups, with the most notable difference being the higher success among those with military experience (64% graduated) compared to those without (42% graduated). • While most cadets passed their exams, there were three exams that had over a 20% failure rate. • All graduating cadets passed their defensive tactics final, and averaged 98/100 of their firearms final. • Graduating cadets provided feedback indicating a desire for shorter, more focused training, more time spent on critical skills (defensive tactics, firearms, legal content, and patrol skills), greater instructional consistency and cohesion across staff, and additional support mechanisms (mentoring, tutoring, and check-ins). • Community engagement remained a visible strength, with cadets participating in Academy Foundations training, a community resource fair, and other community organization presentations. • Despite challenges, both graduates and those who separated early reported positive experiences, with many stating they would recommend the APD Academy to others. Conclusions & Recommendations The findings regarding 154th cadet class highlight the APD Training Academy’s commitment to community engagement, professional and personal development, as well as the delivery of high-quality instruction. Based on the current findings, recommendations are listed below. • Given that nearly half of all separations occurred in the first two weeks, implement enhanced onboarding and support during recruiting and the first few weeks to address early challenges related to physical preparedness and personal adjustment. • Provide prospective cadets with clear physical preparedness guidelines and optional pre-academy • fitness opportunities. Introduce early academic interventions for cadets at risk of failing exams. A tutoring program, peer mentoring, or additional review sessions …
APD Quarterly Update to PSC Data and Backup Materials Austin Police | October 6, 2025 APD Quarterly Presentation 2 Crimes Against Persons by Offense Type March - August Source: NIBRS GROUP A OFFENSE CRIMES 3 Crimes Against Persons by APD Sector March - August Source: NIBRS GROUP A OFFENSE CRIMES 4 Crimes Against Persons by City Council District March - August Source: NIBRS GROUP A OFFENSE CRIMES 5 Crimes Against Property/Society by Offense Type March – August Source: NIBRS GROUP A OFFENSE CRIMES 6 Crimes Against Property/Society by APD Sector March - August Source: NIBRS GROUP A OFFENSE CRIMES 7 Crimes Against Property/Society by City Council District March - August Source: NIBRS GROUP A OFFENSE CRIMES 8 Clearance Rates- Crimes Against Person January - August, 2025 * Period reported Jan 1 to Aug 31, 2025 Source: TXDPS Uniform Crime Report System 9 Clearance Rates- Crimes Against Property January – August, 2025 * Period reported Jan 1 to Aug 31, 2025 Source: TXDPS Uniform Crime Report System 10 Clearance Rates- Crimes Against Society January - August, 2025 * Period reported Jan 1 to Aug 31, 2025 Source: TXDPS Uniform Crime Report System 11 Emergency (P0) Call Volume March 1- August 31, 2025 vs. 5-year Mean (March-Aug) Source: APD CAD Response Time 12 Urgent (P1) Call Volume March 1- August 31, 2025 vs. 5-year Mean (March-Aug) Source: APD CAD Response Time 13 Emergency (P0) Response Time March 1- August 31, 2025 vs. 5-year Mean (March-Aug) Source: APD CAD Response Time 14 Urgent (P1) Response Time March 1- August 31, 2025 vs. 5-year Mean (March-Aug) Source: APD CAD Response Time 15 Response Times and Incident Volume by City Council District March 1- August 31, 2025 Source: APD CAD Response Time 16
APD Quarterly Update to PSC Austin Police | October 6, 2025 Crime Reduction Focus Areas Auto Theft Incidents are down compared to last year (31%) and the last 5 years (18%) Initiatives include partnering with dealerships looking at theft locations and recovery locations Theft at Storage Facilities Building cross-cutting initiatives to tackle the growing issue Speeding and Reckless Driving Partnering with TXDOT to address the issue along FM 2222 Place Network Investigations (PNI) Looks at how places connect together Goal is to disrupt those networks of places to address areas with chronic crime Crime at Parks Collaborations with District Attorney Office, County Attorney Office, and TX DPS to address vehicle burglaries and other crime at local parks Coordinated enforcement, prosecution, and prevention efforts ensuring accountability and improving conditions in the parks and surrounding areas Everyone involved is committed to delivering meaningful consequences for offenders and bringing long-term improvement to the community 2 G-File Update G-Files Requests this year (through mid-September) 184= Total requests 45= Open requests 139= Closed requests Processed on a rolling basis as they enter the queue Processing time can be dependent on digitization and redaction needs G-File requests are processed along with other Freedom of Information Requests Department receives an average of 633 Freedom of Information Requests a week. 3 Community Engagement Highlights Numerous community engagements over the summer Shared safety messages to variety of groups and individuals Worked with youth and schools to strengthen relationships Engaged with neighborhood and community groups to understand key issues Interacted with community at numerous community events and fairs 106th Community Police Academy (CPA) 25 students engaged Classes began September 2, 2025 and will end in December 2025 14 weekly classes covering a range of topics to help participants better understand policing in Austin through education Since inception in 1987, we have had 2,846 participants graduate the APD CPA 4 Community Engagement Highlights Speed Campaign with TX DOT Back to school event- APD distributed back to school supplies Coffee with a Cop for more personal connections Raksha Bandhan, a Hindu festival to honor protectors Walmart re-opening event Safety training for older adults- focus on 911 vs 311 and cyber scam awareness City of Austin Pride Festival 5 Community …
Public Safety Commission Austin Emergency Management | October 6, 2025 Primus Inter Pares “First Among Equals” Vision Statement: A disaster-prepared and resilient community. Mission Statement: We serve as Austin’s trusted leader in coordinating a unified effort to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and disruptions - protecting life, property, and the environment by empowering community resilience and all hazards readiness. New Organizational Structure 3 New Team Approach ESF-1 Transportation ESF-2 Communications ESF-3 Public Works & Engineering ESF-4 Firefighting ESF-5 Emergency Management ESF-6 Mass Care ESF-7 Logistics ESF-8 Public Health & Medical ESF-9 Search and Rescue ESF-10 Oil & Hazardous Materials ESF-11 Agriculture & Natural Resources ESF-12 Energy ESF-13 Public Safety ESF-14 Private Sector Coordination ESF-15 Public Information ESF-16 Recovery ESF-17 Military Support ESF-18 Education ESF-19 Operations Technology ESF-20 Cyber Security ESF-21 Emergency Medical 4 New Plans • Not technical documents • Developed for with the Community. • Reflective of the makeup of the community. • Highlights areas of vulnerability. • Living documents 5 Information Sharing Strategies NEW: IPAWS / WEA Alerting Authority Unity of Effort Message Templates Message Decision Matrix Emergency Preparedness Outreach: “Market the Storm” Monthly Emergency Preparedness Pop-Up Events Quarterly Trainings CERT Program Trainings by request Warn Central Texas English + Spanish AustinTexas.gov/Alerts 14 languages Emergency Operations Center Communications City Council News Flash Informal “behind the scenes” updates sent to partner agencies Blog posts 6 Plan. Train. Drill. Exercise. Repeat. Professional Development 3-Year Training and Exercise Plan Cross-Sector Training / Exercises Discussions regarding Nationwide Incidents “Always one more thing we can do to improve our odds of success, after that, another…” 7 Questions? Jim Redick, MPA, CEM Director, Austin Emergency Management Jim.Redick@austintexas.gov 8
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION Recommendation 20251006-005: Date: October 6, 2025 Subject: Implementation, tracking and transparency of recommendations made for Austin Police Department’s Cadet Training Academy Motioned by: Commissioner Bernhardt Seconded by: Chair Ramírez WHEREAS, The Austin Public Safety Commission is tasked with reviewing public safety agency budgets and providing policy recommendations to the Austin City Council; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin in conjunction with Austin community members developed a comprehensive plan for reimagining public safety; and WHEREAS, in 2018, multiple former cadets from the Austin Police Academy notified the Austin Police Department of academy curricula they believed was strongly focused on dominance, aggression, and violence in keeping with a “warrior” approach to policing; and WHEREAS a 2020 lawsuit against the City of Austin, the Austin Police Department, and the chief of the Austin Police detailed at least 8 cadets fell ill in APD academy training as a result of policy violations and improperly implemented “Stress Reaction Training,”; and WHEREAS, City Council Resolution 66, the work of the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force, and the 2020 Strategic Plan of the APD Training Academy articulate the goal of realizing an Austin Police Academy that transparently addresses issues of racial and gender equity, emphasizes de-escalation tactics that minimize the use of force, and moves away from a regimented, paramilitary culture into an academy which incorporates community partnerships and current evidence-based strategies for the learning of current and future officers; and WHEREAS, on November 12, 2020, the City of Austin’s Office of Police Oversight (OPO), in consultation with the City Manager's Office, retained Kroll Associates, Inc. to review and evaluate the Austin Police Department on the extent to which forms of racism, bigotry, and discrimination are present in the protocols, practices, and behaviors of the APD, beginning with an assessment of the APD training academy; and WHEREAS, Kroll’s assessment of the APD Training Academy recommended: 1. The APD academy shift away from stress-oriented military-style curricula toward a resiliency- based approach supported by adult learning and student-centered instructions 2. That adoption of a “guardian” approach that emphasizes service to the community 3. That APD become an evidence-based learning organization that rigorously tests changes to its training and shares research findings with Academy staff to continually improve Academy curricula; and WHEREAS, Kroll’s assessment recommended several measures for immediate implementation, including (but not limited to): 1. Hiring and onboarding a Training Supervisor to work with the Division …
