Civilian Oversight Asks Austin Police to Rewrite Use-of-Force Policy

Austin’s Office of Police Oversight released a new report Wednesday asking the Austin Police Department to rework its current policy, strengthening language about de-escalation and forbidding some types of police force.

The recommendations outlined suggest APD officers should do a better job of de-escalating tense situations, exhaust all other options before using force, give more warning before firing their guns and step in if they see fellow officers using force excessively. Restricting shooting at a moving vehicle is another recommendation on the list, KXAN reports.

Some of the recommended policy changes were already made by city council last year, like banning chokeholds.

It will now be up to APD leadership to make changes to the department’s policy based on the Office of Police Oversight’s recommendations. The rewritten policy will have to be approved by Austin City Council before being finalized.