Formal complaint: Impartial Attitude and Courtesy, Personal Conduct and other policy violations

OF
CHILL
OFFICE OF
NOTICE OF FORMAL
POLICE OVERSIGHT
COMPLAINT
ICMS #: 2020-1373
August 26, 2020
Complaint: Ms.
, complainant, submitted a complaint online to the Office of
Police Oversight stating the following:
"An Austin police officer going by the tag
on the social media app TikTok
calling BLM, and BLM supporters domestic terrorists and monkeys. this racism isn't ok
and if needed I will take this to the media with her blatant racism and the allowance of her
abusing her social media platform to be hateful towards others by calling them racial slurs
and on forth If a police officer like her is going to be working for the Austin police
department something needs to be done about her racism and hatefulness towards POC and
others. Cause it puts others at risk, and I am afraid if something isn't done about this
someone might be hurt by her acts and beliefs.
https:/
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.
900.3.4 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.
972.2 POLICY
Public employees occupy a trusted position in the community, and thus, their statements have the
potential to contravene the orders and performance of this department. Due to the nature of the
work and influence associated with the law enforcement profession, it is necessary that employees
of this department be subject to certain reasonable limitations on their speech and expression. To
achieve its mission and efficiently provide service to the public, the Austin Police Department will
carefully balance the individual employee's rights against the Department's needs and interest
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
OFFICE OF
NOTICE OF FORMAL
POLICE OVERSIGHT
COMPLAINT
FOUNDED
1839
when exercising a reasonable degree of control over its employees' speech and expression. This
policy is not intended to restrict employee speech that is protected by the First Amendment.
972.4 PROHIBITED SPEECH, EXPRESSION AND CONDUCT
(b) Speech or expression that, while not made pursuant to an official duty, is significantly
linked to, or related to, the Austin Police Department and tends to compromise or
damage the mission, function, reputation or professionalism of the Austin Police
Department or its employees.
900.1.1 RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW AND COMPLY
The rules of conduct set forth in this order do not serve as an all-inclusive list of requirements,
limitations, or prohibitions on employee conduct and activities; employees are required to know
and comply with all Department policies, procedures, and written directives.
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.