Formal complaint: Emergency response and vehicle operations and general operation of department vehicles
Complainant filed an online complaint alleging the complainant's wife had to jump out of the street with their child to avoid being hit by Austin Police Department vehicles.
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CITY
AUSTIN
OFFICE OF
NOTICE OF FORMAL
POLICE OVERSIGHT
COMPLAINT
ICMS #: 2020-0407
April 16, 2020
Complaint: The OPO received an online complaint that stated: My daughter was being pulled in
a wagon that my wife was pulling. They were walking down
and just crossed the
road when a police officer went flying down
going at least 60mph. The officer did
have his lights on, but no siren. It was confirmed that he was responding to a high priority call.
But then, two other officers go speeding down
again at around 60mph. The second
two officers did not have their lights on. I was in correspondence with the supervisor of the incident
who suddenly stopped responding and would not take responsibility for the three officers actions.
This road is 30mph and their were many pedestrians and cyclists always throughout the
neighborhood, including my wife and daughter. I have video from my security cameras as well as
the names and badge numbers for all three officers that were driving recklessly, and also the
supervisor. I refuse to let this incident go on as "business as usual" SO I would like make sure this
incident is handled properly. There is also dashcam video from all three officers from which the
supervisor sent me three screenshots of where the speeding officers had just turned onto
and were already exceeding the speed limit as they passed the second house on the street as
they continued to accelerate. I"d be happy to provide my security camera footage as well as the
screenshots of the dashcam. Officers:
Complainant alleges his
wife had to jump out of the street with the child to avoid being hit by APD vehicles.
This notice of. formal complaint is a request for Internal Affairs to initiate an investigation in order
to determine if the employee conduct is within compliance of APD policy, Civil Service Rules, and
Municipal Civil Service Rules.
Recommended Administrative Policies to Review (to include but not limited to):
400.2 EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND VEHICLE OPERATIONS
Officers shall exercise sound judgment and care with due regard for life and property when
responding to an emergency call. Officers shall reduce speed at all street intersections to such a
degree that they shall have complete control of the vehicle
804.2 GENERAL OPERATION OF DEPARTMENT VEHICLES (a) Employees will operate
Department vehicles in a careful and prudent manner within the guidelines of the law and
Department General Orders. Unsafe or negligent driving is prohibited.
Recommended Classification: The OPO is permitted to make a preliminary recommendation
on the classification of administrative cases.
The OPO recommends that this allegation receive an A classification.
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act.
Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request.