Austin Police Department (APD) officers may receive discipline when an investigation reveals that they violated policy.
APD can issue discipline at any of the following levels:
- Indefinite suspension: An officer's employment with APD is terminated
- Temporary suspension: An officer is placed on leave for a specified number of days
- Demotion: An officer’s rank is lowered
- Written reprimand: An officer is disciplined in writing
- Oral reprimand: An officer is disciplined orally
- Education-based discipline: An officer is instructed to attend training as a part of the disciplinary action
OPO publishes all publicly releasable information related to APD discipline on our website.
Below are charts that describe the level of discipline APD issued in 2019 and 2020. Between 2019 and 2020, the number of APD officers disciplined decreased by 21%.
In 2019, 200 individual Austin Police Department officers received discipline. In some instances, an officer will be disciplined for more than one policy violation. During this period, officers were disciplined most often for violations of equipment policies, field operations and custody, response to resistance and pursuit, and field response and investigations and personnel policies.
Retirements and Resignations Under Investigation
When an officer retires or resigns under investigation, it halts the investigation and discipline process.
- In 2019, two officers retired or resigned under investigation
- In 2020, 11 officers retired or resigned under investigation
To see more data on discipline, see this table.