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Police Oversight Reports and Recommendations

March 5, 2024

OPO Response to APD's January 2024 Approved Changes to the General Orders under 214.6.2 Tire Deflation Device

In this memo, the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) provides recommendations on the Austin Police Department’s General Order 214.6.2, which regulates the use of tire deflation devices. OPO recommends that APD rewrite the policy to be clearer and outline more specific officer safety measures when deploying tire deflation devices.

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OPO Response to APD's January 2024 Approved Changes to the General Orders under 214.6.2 Tire Deflation Device383.38 KB

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OF
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
CITY
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
1839
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
March 19, 2024
Robin Henderson, Interim Chief of Police
Austin Police Department
715 E. 8th Street
Austin, TX 78701
RE: OPO Response to APD's January 2024 Approved Changes to the General Orders
under 214.6.2 Tire Deflation Device
Dear Chief Henderson:
A
On January 11, 2024, the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) received notification of approved
changes to the Austin Police Department (APD) General Orders policies. OPO has reviewed the
approved changes, and attached to this memorandum, you will find OPO feedback and
recommendations.
The specific policies reviewed in this memorandum are as follows:
214.6.2 Tire Deflation Device (TDD)
214.6.2 (c) Pre-Pursuit TDD Deployment
We look forward to addressing the items identified and improving these policies to benefit the
community and APD's sworn personnel.
Sincerely,
1839
Dail
Gail McCant, Director
Office of Police Oversight
OF
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
CHICK
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
1839
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20P0
214.6.2 Tire Deflation Device
Recommendation #1:
OPO recommends that APD omit language that appears to narrow the scope
inadvertently.
1. If the pursued vehicle is, for example, transporting hazardous materials, or a school bus
is
transporting children, Officers and supervisors should shall weigh the potential risks and
consequences against the need to immediately stop the vehicle. immediately.
Recommendation #2:
OPO recommends that APD address the safety of the officer deploying the TDD in policy.
Officers deploying the TDD are susceptible to various dangers, including death, by fleeing
vehicles, the general public, and other pursuit vehicles. OPO recommends that APD add language
to this policy that addresses the safety measures and tactics to be considered by and for the officer
who is to deploy the TDD.
Recommendation #3:
OPO recommends that APD rewrite 214.6.2 (c) Pre-Pursuit TDD Deployment for clarity.
Subsection (c) was a new edition to this policy and aimed to address pre-pursuit TDD Deployment.
OPO's analysis indicates that this subsection should be rewritten to reflect the same clarity and
conciseness as subsection (d). Subsection (d) was also a new addition to this policy and succinctly
addressed TDD Deployment at Fixed Positions.