Formal complaint: Impartial Attitude and Courtesy, Acts Bringing Discredit upon the Department, and other policy violations

OF
CITY
KUMA
OFFICE OF
NOTICE OF FORMAL
POLICE OVERSIGHT
COMPLAINT
ICMS #: 2020-1295
August 10, 2020
Complaint: The Office of Police Oversight received an anonymous online complaint alleging the
following:
"With the mounting tensions and recent publications regarding systemic racism within
APD I am compelled to come forward anonymously and memorialize the first hand
knowledge of racism I have personally observed from a fellow officer. Detective
has verbalized on many occasions racial slurs, particularly targeted at the
African American ethnic group that was ethically, unprofessional and morally wrong.
Detective
suffers from privilege within the department and is favored on many
levels. I have personally overheard Detective
speak ill of an African American
female custodian. Detective
would speak about "silver back sighting" referring
to the large AA female custodian who is described as having grey hair. Detective
compared the custodian"s skin color, hair color and size to a silver back gorilla
On many occasions. This occurred over a long period of time, spanning many months.
Detective
would update her close friends and cohorts about the times she had
another "silverback sighting" and would also speak of discontent when using the restroom
facility after the custodian. Although I have not worked with Detective
directly
I have nonetheless observed and experienced her privileges. It sickens me that she is able
to make racial remarks and also concurrently hold a prestigious position within the
department. Please look into this. I know she made the remakes while working with the
homicide or robbery unit. The AA custodian works out if the main police building."
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):
301.2 IMPARTIAL ATTITUDE AND COURTESY
Employees are expected to act professionally, treat all persons fairly and equally, and perform all
duties impartially, objectively, and equitably without regard to personal feelings, animosities,
friendships, financial status, sex, creed, color, race, religion, age, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, gender identity or gender expression or social or ethnic background.
900.3.2 ACTS BRINGING DISCREDIT UPON THE DEPARTMENT
Since the conduct of personnel both on-duty or off-duty may reflect directly upon the Department,
employees must conduct themselves at all times in a manner which does not bring reproach,
discredit, or embarrassment to the Department or to the City.
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.
DATE OF LUSTIN
OFFICE OF
NOTICE OF FORMAL
POLICE OVERSIGHT
COMPLAINT
FOUNDED
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900.3.4 PERSONAL CONDUCT
(c) While on-duty or on the premises of City facilities, employees will not:
1. Use loud, indecent, profane, harsh, derogatory language, or use belittling term in
any communications.
2. Ridicule, mock, taunt, embarrass, humiliate, or shame any person, nor do anything
that might incite that person to violence.
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.
OUNDED
1839
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.