May 10, 2024
OPO Objection for Case #2024-0090, Detective Laura Correa
The Office of Police Oversight objects to Interim Chief of Police Robin Henderson's disciplinary determination regarding Detective Laura Correa's conduct. Based on OPO's review, Detective Correa violated the Austin Police Department's General Orders 900 General Conduct and Responsibility, 900.1 Responsibility to Know and Comply, 300 Responsibility to Community, and 301.2 Impartial Attitude and Courtesy.
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OPO Objection for Case #2024-0090, Detective Laura Correa1.26 MBPDF Content
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P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
DAY
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 TTY: 711 FAX: 512.974.6306
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
TO:
Robin Henderson, Interim Chief, Austin Police Department
FROM:
Gail McCant, Director, Office of Police Oversight
DATE:
May 10, 2024
SUBJECT:
OPO Objection Case # 2024-0090
Dear Chief Henderson,
The Office of Police Oversight has concluded its review of Case #2024-0090 involving Detective Laura
Correa #5903. The events described below resulted in the filing of an external complaint with the Office
of Police Oversight on February 13, 2024, by Christopher Noak.
Summary of Facts:
Detective Corea and Mr. Noak met for the first time on Saturday, November 11, 2023. The encounter
occurred at a Westlake High School softball field in the 1300 block of Westbank Drive. Mr. Noak is the
Detective Correa's
Detective Correa share
a doubleheader softball game on the day of the encounter. Detective Correa would describe
their encounter as unpleasant, and by all accounts, this unpleasant encounter was precipitated by
Detective Correa.
Detective Correa contends that Mr. Noak was staring at her while they were both sitting in the bleachers
in an attempt to provoke a reaction from her or annoy her. On the other hand, Mr. Noak maintains that
he received an angry look from Detective Correa. However, no information suggests that Mr. Noak
commented to Detective Correa or reacted in any way to her staring. However, Detective Correa, by her
own admission, states to Mr. Noak, "Hey, you need to turn your head and stop looking at me. This was
the first indication that Detective Correa was the aggressor and initiator of the confrontation that would
ensue soon after this initial interaction with Mr. Noak. Correa interview transcript line 293-294.
The Internal Affairs witness interviews revealed that Mr. Noak and
were seated
five rows up from the bottom bleachers, whereas Detective Correa was in the front row. Therefore, it's
reasonable to believe that Detective Correa would have had to look up into the stands at Mr. Noak and
and make eye contact with them to know that Mr. Noak was staring at her.
Later, after the first game, a confrontation ensued in front or near the restroom; again, from all accounts,
Detective Correa initiated this confrontation. Detective Correa, by her own admission, stated she looked
at Mr. Noak and said, "Hey, you don't know who I am. You didn't know who I was before. Now you know
who I am. Stay the fuck away
don' like you.
feel comfortable around you.
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
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
DATE
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 TTY: 711 FAX: 512.974.6306
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20P0
"If you keep fucking my-with, um, keep
and you 'll really get to fucking know me." Correa
interview transcript line 306-310. This confrontation ensued for several minutes, during which
Detective Correa insinuated that Ms. Noak was there to watch
; she also made the point that
Mr. Noak's
and then threatened to knock his dentures out.
Mr. Noak acknowledges that her comments related to
infuriated him, and he stated to Detective
Correa that he would fuck her up if she fucked
Noak interview transcript line 819-829
Detective Correa claims that
expressed discomfort around Mr. Noak after the first game,
which set her in motion to confront Mr. Noak and
when she encountered them by the restroom.
However, the Detective's initial demand for Mr. Noak to stop looking at her suggests that she was already
inclined to engage in this confrontation, even before
commented.
If this was not enough, Detective Correa returned to the stands and continued her false narrative that Mr.
Noak was creeping and looking at not only
but all the little girls, which caused concern to
at least one parent sitting in the stands. Correa interview transcript lines 667-668.
However, Detective Correa provided no evidence to confirm her allegation/insinuation. What is
confirmed is that Mr. Noak has been employed with the City of Austin for 25 years as an accountant, is
subject to several background checks per year due to his position, is the
Det. Correa contends that she behaved in this manner because she felt threatened by Mr. Noak because
of his stature; he is 6'2, and she is 5'2. However, she continued to engage him even after the confrontation
by the restroom to the point he and
decided to move from the area and watch the game on the
visitor's side of the stadium, which appeared to de-escalate the situation in that no additional engagement
occurred after they moved.
Detective Correa's actions were neither justified nor proper according to Dept. General Orders and
Detective Correa should have been held accountable for her actions.
Office of Police Oversight Objection:
On April 30, 2024, The Office of Police Oversight was notified that Detective Correa was exonerated.
OPO objects to the disciplinary determination. Based on OPO's review, Detective Correa violated
APD's General Orders and should have been disciplined accordingly. Specifically, GO 900. General
Conduct and Responsibility, GO 900.1.1 (a) Responsibility to Know and Comply and 300 Responsibility
to Community 301.2 (c) (d) (e) Impartial Attitude and Courtesy.
The chain of command at APD has set a dangerous precedent by exonerating Detective Correa. This
determination by the chain sends a message that it is acceptable for an APD law enforcement staff to
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
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
GIN
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GO
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
1839
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20P0
accuse a member of the community of inappropriate behavior with a minor with no supporting evidence,
humiliate and shame them, use profane language against an individual, and then threaten to assault them,
all without any consequences for her actions. Correa interview transcript line 592-593 & 612-614
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Regards,
Gail McCant
Director
Office of Police Oversight
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.
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
DAY
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 TTY: 711 FAX: 512.974.6306
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
TO:
Robin Henderson, Interim Chief, Austin Police Department
FROM:
Gail McCant, Director, Office of Police Oversight
DATE:
May 10, 2024
SUBJECT:
OPO Objection Case # 2024-0090
Dear Chief Henderson,
The Office of Police Oversight has concluded its review of Case #2024-0090 involving Detective Laura
Correa #5903. The events described below resulted in the filing of an external complaint with the Office
of Police Oversight on February 13, 2024, by Christopher Noak.
Summary of Facts:
Detective Corea and Mr. Noak met for the first time on Saturday, November 11, 2023. The encounter
occurred at a Westlake High School softball field in the 1300 block of Westbank Drive. Mr. Noak is the
Detective Correa's
Detective Correa share
a doubleheader softball game on the day of the encounter. Detective Correa would describe
their encounter as unpleasant, and by all accounts, this unpleasant encounter was precipitated by
Detective Correa.
Detective Correa contends that Mr. Noak was staring at her while they were both sitting in the bleachers
in an attempt to provoke a reaction from her or annoy her. On the other hand, Mr. Noak maintains that
he received an angry look from Detective Correa. However, no information suggests that Mr. Noak
commented to Detective Correa or reacted in any way to her staring. However, Detective Correa, by her
own admission, states to Mr. Noak, "Hey, you need to turn your head and stop looking at me. This was
the first indication that Detective Correa was the aggressor and initiator of the confrontation that would
ensue soon after this initial interaction with Mr. Noak. Correa interview transcript line 293-294.
The Internal Affairs witness interviews revealed that Mr. Noak and
were seated
five rows up from the bottom bleachers, whereas Detective Correa was in the front row. Therefore, it's
reasonable to believe that Detective Correa would have had to look up into the stands at Mr. Noak and
and make eye contact with them to know that Mr. Noak was staring at her.
Later, after the first game, a confrontation ensued in front or near the restroom; again, from all accounts,
Detective Correa initiated this confrontation. Detective Correa, by her own admission, stated she looked
at Mr. Noak and said, "Hey, you don't know who I am. You didn't know who I was before. Now you know
who I am. Stay the fuck away
don' like you.
feel comfortable around you.
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
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
DATE
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 TTY: 711 FAX: 512.974.6306
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20P0
"If you keep fucking my-with, um, keep
and you 'll really get to fucking know me." Correa
interview transcript line 306-310. This confrontation ensued for several minutes, during which
Detective Correa insinuated that Ms. Noak was there to watch
; she also made the point that
Mr. Noak's
and then threatened to knock his dentures out.
Mr. Noak acknowledges that her comments related to
infuriated him, and he stated to Detective
Correa that he would fuck her up if she fucked
Noak interview transcript line 819-829
Detective Correa claims that
expressed discomfort around Mr. Noak after the first game,
which set her in motion to confront Mr. Noak and
when she encountered them by the restroom.
However, the Detective's initial demand for Mr. Noak to stop looking at her suggests that she was already
inclined to engage in this confrontation, even before
commented.
If this was not enough, Detective Correa returned to the stands and continued her false narrative that Mr.
Noak was creeping and looking at not only
but all the little girls, which caused concern to
at least one parent sitting in the stands. Correa interview transcript lines 667-668.
However, Detective Correa provided no evidence to confirm her allegation/insinuation. What is
confirmed is that Mr. Noak has been employed with the City of Austin for 25 years as an accountant, is
subject to several background checks per year due to his position, is the
Det. Correa contends that she behaved in this manner because she felt threatened by Mr. Noak because
of his stature; he is 6'2, and she is 5'2. However, she continued to engage him even after the confrontation
by the restroom to the point he and
decided to move from the area and watch the game on the
visitor's side of the stadium, which appeared to de-escalate the situation in that no additional engagement
occurred after they moved.
Detective Correa's actions were neither justified nor proper according to Dept. General Orders and
Detective Correa should have been held accountable for her actions.
Office of Police Oversight Objection:
On April 30, 2024, The Office of Police Oversight was notified that Detective Correa was exonerated.
OPO objects to the disciplinary determination. Based on OPO's review, Detective Correa violated
APD's General Orders and should have been disciplined accordingly. Specifically, GO 900. General
Conduct and Responsibility, GO 900.1.1 (a) Responsibility to Know and Comply and 300 Responsibility
to Community 301.2 (c) (d) (e) Impartial Attitude and Courtesy.
The chain of command at APD has set a dangerous precedent by exonerating Detective Correa. This
determination by the chain sends a message that it is acceptable for an APD law enforcement staff to
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
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
GIN
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GO
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
1839
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20P0
accuse a member of the community of inappropriate behavior with a minor with no supporting evidence,
humiliate and shame them, use profane language against an individual, and then threaten to assault them,
all without any consequences for her actions. Correa interview transcript line 592-593 & 612-614
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Regards,
Gail McCant
Director
Office of Police Oversight
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.