Formal complaint: Purpose and scope—Responsibility to the community and other policy violations
Complainant alleges that officers may have violated policy during an incident when she called for a mental health officer and no mental health officer or EMS was sent. She further alleges that the officers that did come, arrived with shotguns in hand, and used to PA system to communicate, displaying a lack of sensitivity or discretion. The OPO recommends that this allegation receive a B classification.
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OFFICE OF
NOTICE OF FORMAL
POLICE OVERSIGHT
COMPLAINT
POUNDED
ICMS #: 2020-0204
March 16, 2020
Complaint: Ms.
complainant, alleges that Austin Police Department (APD)
officers may have violated APD policy during an incident in which she called for a mental health
officer and no mental health officer or EMS was sent. She alleges that the four responding
officers "got on the intercom," the whole neighborhood came out and "laughed at us," the
"officers had shotguns in their hand," and that they were "terrified."
states that
they needed help and "APD failed to help."
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.
F
A
Recommended Administrative Policies to Review (to include but not limited to):
301.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE - RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY
All persons deserve protection by fair and impartial law enforcement and should be able to
expect similar police response to their behavior wherever it occurs. Employees will serve the
public through direction, counseling, assistance, and protection of life and property. Employees
will be held accountable for the manner in which they exercise the authority of their office or
position. Employees will respect the rights of individuals and perform their services with
honesty, sincerity, courage, and sound judgment.
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.
445.2 INCIDENTS REQUIRING A CIT OFFICER
(a) If the incident is an emergency involving a person in mental health crisis, a CIT
officer will be dispatched as the primary responding officer. If a CIT officer is not
available, any patrol officer will be dispatched immediately and a CIT officer will
respond as soon as possible.
(b) If the incident is non-emergency in nature, a CIT officer shall respond as the primary
officer, with the exception of an emergency room transport of a POED to a psychiatric
hospital (secondary transport)..
(c) The following incidents also require the response of a CIT officer:
1. Any situation where the responding officer believes that a person's mental
health is adversely affecting the persons behavior (e.g., attempted suicide, suicidal
subject, Peace Officer Emergency Detention (POED) evaluation).
2. Any request from a member of the community for a CIT officer.
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.
CITY OF QUESTION
OFFICE OF
NOTICE OF FORMAL
POLICE OVERSIGHT
COMPLAINT
FOUNDED
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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.
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.
F
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.
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.