City Of Austin Postpones Police Academy Class Pending Review

The Austin City Manager has delayed the start of the next police academy class to allow completion of an ongoing audit of the academy’s training materials.

The purpose of the audit is to ensure all training materials are free of any potential bias or unrecognized discriminatory perspectives.
 
The class, scheduled for June 2020, is now expected to start in mid-July.
 
On Dec. 5, 2019, the Austin City Council passed a resolution requiring a series of actions aimed at identifying and eliminating discrimination and bias in policing.

This included a provision directing the City Manager to audit and update the academy’s materials and curriculum.
 
“Racist language, slurs, intolerance, and derogatory behaviors – implicit or explicit – are completely unacceptable in our organization and it is my expectation that every person is treated with dignity and respect,” said City Manager Spencer Cronk. “This audit provides an opportunity to reinforce that commitment and identify where we can improve to ensure that our officers are being trained to provide the policing our community expects and deserves.”
 
While the audit was to be completed by June, City staff now anticipates finishing by mid-July due to the scope of work and the unanticipated impact of the city-wide response to COVID-19.
 
“While this delay is not optimal given the number of officer vacancies, it is necessary,” Cronk added. “I know our academy and community will be well served by taking the time to do the hard work called for in this audit.”
 
The audit is being conducted by staff from the City Manager’s Office, Equity Office, Office of Police Oversight, and Austin Police Department’s Organizational and Development Training Manager – working in conjunction with an outside academic consultant and select community members.
 
Additional information on the audit is located here:
http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/pio/document.cfm?id=339642