The policy and research division conducts rigorous academic, legal, quantitative, and qualitative research to:
- Recommend policy and training changes within APD
- Report clear and reliable information about APD data and other areas of public concern
- Object to APD practices that negatively impact transparency, accountability, or fairness
OPO believes that excellent policy is created with equal attention to research, formulation, and implementation. Additionally, OPO works to ensure an open line of communication between policymakers and the individuals or groups affected by those policies.
Research and analysis are critical to OPO's mission to enhance accountability and increase transparency. This Division reports on the issues that most impact community members’ interactions with APD. In some cases, these reports are based on patterns or trends that OPO has observed while processing and monitoring complaints. In other cases, these reports are written in response to specific direction from Austin City Council or the City Manager’s Office.
In 2019 and 2020, OPO began building a collection of recurring research reports. This includes a report analyzing APD’s racial profiling data and a separate report examining APD's officer-involved shooting incidents.