OPO Policy Recommendations for Improvement to Austin Police Department’s General Order 208: Taser Device Guidelines
In this memo, the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) provides feedback on approved changes the Austin Police Department has made to General Order 208, which sets the guidelines for TASER use by APD officers. OPO recommends that APD remove references to TASER models no longer used by APD and specify additional training requirements for officers who upgrade to a newer model.
PDF Content
Disclaimer: The following text was extracted from the PDF file to make this document more accessible. This machine-generated content may contain styling errors due to redactions. In some instances, text may not load if the original file is a scanned image or has not been made searchable. For the full version of the document, please view the PDF.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
May 29, 2024
Robin Henderson, Interim Chief of Police
Austin Police Department
715 E. 8th Street
Austin, TX 78701
RE: OPO Policy Recommendations for Improvement to Austin Police Department's
General Order 208: Taser Device Guidelines
Dear Chief Henderson:
F
A
On April 29, 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:
208.2 (c) Policy
208.4.6 (b) Report of Use
208.6 Training
We look forward to addressing the items identified and improving these policies for the benefit of the
community and APD's sworn personnel.
Sincerely,
Dail
Gail McCant, Director
Office of Police Oversight
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
OUNDED
1839
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
208 Taser Device Guidelines
Recommendation #1:
OPO recommends that APD remove any reference to TASER X26 from the General Orders.
The department no longer uses the TASER X26; therefore, it should be removed from the General Orders.
Recommendation #2:
OPO recommends that APD specify that additional training is required anytime an officer upgrades
from a TASER 7 to a TASER 10.
Due to differences in device functionality from previous models, officers require additional training on the
TASER 10 before it can be issued.
1839