Formal complaint: Impartial attitude and courtesy and other policy violations

OF
CHICK
AUSTIN
OFFICE OF
NOTICE OF FORMAL
POLICE OVERSIGHT
COMPLAINT
ICMS #: 2021-0295
April 7, 2021
Complaint: Mr.
complainant, submitted an online complaint to the Office of Police
Oversight stating the following:
"On
1, at or about
, I was involved in a minor fender bender with a
), on the corner of
and
I was the driver of a city bus (public servant) with
VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority attempting to make a left turn on the outside (right
lane) onto the far outside lane (right) to make an eventual right turn further down the street
- a necessary maneuver due to traffic and afforded t by local police traffic control.
was in the left lane attempting to make a left turn into the inner lane (left); however,
entered my lane by making a wide turn, which resulted in making contact with his
pickup truck. The end result was paint transfer between vehicles. As required by law and
company policy, I stopped my vehicle and made contact with the dispatcher, transit police
and supervisor.
jumped out of his vehicle, approached the drivers side (my side),
began shouting expletives and flashed his Austin Police Department badge at me at the
time his agency affiliation was unknown. He demanded that I give him my drivers license
and I explained to him that this process does not involve that step. Due to his behavior and
attempts to intimidate, I reminded him that if he truly was a police officer then he needed
to stay calm and let the process unfold, which he should know. He continued to attempt
intimidating me and I had to close my window, lock the doors and disengage with him until
local police officers arrived. In the process, he staed his a child was injured and I did request
EMS to attend to his passenger. As the event evolved, A transit Police officer and EMS,
appeared. His child was not hurt and again he flashed his badge at both first responders.
Due to
behavior he was told by the transit officer he needed to tone it down and
reminded
that this isn't his city and that is not how "we" do things. Eventually, A
San Antonio Police Officer appeared and
did the same action as stated in the
previous entry. Again, he was told by the SA police officer that he is off duty in another
city and that isn't how "we" do things. He was also reminded that he needed to tone it down.
In the final phase, A VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority Supervisor appeared and
attempted to gain information to generate an accident report.
once again, while
still "amped" up, flashed his badge at the supervisor and dismissed him - impeding
an
investigation. The supervisor had no choice but to disengage and allow the present Law
Enforcement officials to handle
Damage to vehicles and knowledge of
affiliation was not obtained until after his departure due his hostile and intimidating
behavior. It was then discovered he was an off-duty Austin Police Officer in San Antonio
acting in some kind of official capacity, at least from his standpoint, intimidating a public
servant in an attempt to submit to his will. A formal incident was generated with VIA
Metropolitan Transit Authority Video and Witness statements accompanied."
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.
OF
CITY
AUSTIN
OFFICE OF
NOTICE OF FORMAL
POLICE OVERSIGHT
COMPLAINT
FOUNDED
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 shall provide equal and fair protection of all rights under local, state, and federal law
for all members of the community. Law enforcement will be conducted in an impartial and
equitable manner.
364.2 POLICY
Initiating law enforcement action while off-duty is generally discouraged, particularly when
officers are outside their jurisdiction. Reporting to the appropriate law enforcement agency and
safe monitoring of suspected criminal activity is favored.
364.4.2 INCIDENTS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
Unless there is an exigent circumstance, employees shall refrain from handling police incidents
of personal interest (e.g., family or neighbor disputes). When practicable, employees should
report the matter to 9-1-1 SO that an on-duty officer can respond.
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
900.3.5 USE OF BADGE OF OFFICE OR AFFILIATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT
(a) Employees will not intentionally use their affiliation with the Department to influence
another into offering a gift, gratuity, free or discounted service, reward, or special consideration.
ED
Recommended Classification: The OPO is permitted to make a prel
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.