Formal complaint: Impartial attitude,When department issued BWC system is required, Vehicle inventory

OF
CITY
KUMA
OFFICE OF
NOTICE OF FORMAL
POLICE OVERSIGHT
COMPLAINT
ICMS #: 2020-1376
November 3, 2020
Complaint: Complainant,
filed an online complaint with the Office
of Police Oversight stating the following:
"On
night on the way home from work, I turned on a wrong street due to
the construction downtown. As I was trying to move out of the way to safely u-turn
I was rammed in the side bumper, which caused me to spin 180 degrees. When the
officers arrived to the scene they checked on the other party first and took a while
before coming to check on me. The first officer that interacted with me quickly
asked if I needed to be checked out then went away. No officer asked me for my
statement on what happened the entire time we were there, as I was one of the
parties involved in the accident. I did not hear anything from the cops until he came
to tell me to get my things from the car and issue me a ticket. Which he explained
in detail twice to me, once by myself and another time in front of my mother. When
my mom came to the scene they were dismissive of her and her questions.
Meanwhile the officers laughed and joked with the other party involved in the
accident. They let the tow truck go with my moms car on it before the driver was
given the address on where to tow it to. They excused this mistake by stating he
was busy filling out the police report, which wasn"t completed for at least an hour
after tow truck took the car away. When we were trying to locate the truck to give
the driver the correct information the officers involved were hesitant to help. I felt
they acted very unprofessional and treated me with less respect than they had given
the other party involved. I was confused as to why their demeanor changed when
they talked to the other party as opposed to mine. It upset me that my feelings and
perspective were not taken into consideration at all.
"
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.
304.3.2 WHEN DMAV USE IS REQUIRED
This order is not intended to describe every possible situation where the system may be used. In
some circumstances it is not possible to capture images of the incident due to conditions or
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
location of the camera however the audio portion can be valuable evidence and is subject to the
same activation requirements.
350.4 VEHICLE INVENTORY
(a) In all incidents where a vehicle is impounded or moved, officers will make an inventory
of the vehicle for damage and any items of personal property. Such an inventory is a care
taking function intended to protect:
1. The owner's property while it remains in police custody.
2. The police against claims or disputes over lost or stolen property.
(b) The scope of the inventory will include:
1. The exterior for body damage.
2. Those places in a vehicle where a person ordinarily would store or leave items of
personal property. Those areas can be but are not limited to:
(a)
Passenger compartment.
(b)
Trunk, console, glove box, and attached locked containers (e.g.,
toolbox) if the key is readily available.
(c)
Open and closed containers.
3. The inventory will include contents of locked containers (e.g., briefcase,
footlockers) if the key or combination is readily available. If the key is
unavailable, containers/compartments may be opened with supervisor's approval.
Recommended Classification: The OPO is permitted to make a preliminary recommendation
on the classification of administrative cases.
The OPO recommends that this allegation receive a B 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.