DA Says Some Austin PD Officers Refuse To Investigate Crimes

Austin TX

05 August, 2021

5:01 PM

Description

TRAVIS COUNTY, TX — Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza is asking Austin's city manager to address reported incidents where some Austin police officers are declining to investigate suspected criminal activity. The district attorney sent the letter to city manager Spencer Cronk Tuesday. The letter states the office received reports from the community that some APD officers were declining to investigate suspected criminal activity because the DA's office "prevented" them from investigating. Garza said he informed Interim Police Chief Joseph Chacon of the issue on June 23 and said that the DA's office did not enact a policy that prevents his officers from taking action, especially in cases where public safety is an issue. The DA said he offered to meet with additional APD leadership and officers to provide clarity about its policies and answer their questions. The letter goes on to say that Garza met with Cronk that same day to discuss these issues. Since then, Garza said no action was taken by Chacon and Cronk. "I am disappointed that since our meetings with you and the Interim Chief, additional incidents of some APD officers playing politics with public safety have come to my attention," Garza said. "When sworn law enforcement officers decline to investigate crimes reported by Travis County residents, it erodes public confidence in our justice system and makes our community less safe." Garza said he isn't aware of any other law enforcement agencies in Travis County where officers have used similar conduct. The DA said the fact that he has received multiple reports of APD officers declining to investigate suspected criminal activity is "particularly troubling." "All across this country, and in our community, homicides are on the rise. If the public lacks trust that APD will investigate crime, it could chill the cooperation we need from the public to prosecute violent crime," Garza said. While Garza did not directly reference it, his letter comes in the wake of a ballot measure being approved for the Nov. 2 election that would require the city to hire 500 more police officers. The ballot was promoted by Save Austin Now PAC. However, many have pushed back against the PAC's tactics, saying it could impact funds for city services such as EMS, mental health care and park services. According to the ballot measure, the proposition will require the city to employ at least two sworn officers for every 1,000 residents — a threshold Austin does not currently meet. At present, the city has roughly 1 million residents and 1,600 officers, though the budget proposed for the upcoming fiscal year calls for funds for 1,809 officer positions, according to the Austin-American Statesman. Based on current staffing and population levels, the city would be required to hire roughly 400 additional officers to comply with Save Austin Now's proposal, the newspaper reports. RELATED COVERAGE: Stage 5 COVID-19 Risk: Austin, Travis County Upgrades Guidelines Firehouse Subs Awards $24k To Hutto Fire, WilCo ESD #3 Need A Job? Capital Metro Is Hiring Bus Drivers, Mechanics