Austin Police Department Faces Tough Questions at Community Forum
During an emotionally charged public forum on police accountability, Austin Police Department Chief Art Acevedo defended the department against accusations that officers unfairly target minorities.
The Travis County Democratic Party hosted Tuesday’s forum at the North Door after it passed a resolution calling for action for APD to “address systemic issues surrounding racial profiling, excessive use of force and accountability in relations to the African-American community.” In particular, Travis County Democratic Party Secretary Vince Harding said members were alarmed that while black people account for only 8 percent of Austin’s population, they make up 24 percent of drivers whose cars are searched by APD. Also, between 2002 and 2012, seven of the 10 unarmed people killed by APD were black.
“It was based upon these facts that we call on APD to develop additional policies that would address these issues,” Harding said.
In response, Acevedo said that APD officers use deadly force about 50 percent less than other police departments. He said that in addition to the state law requirements for the use of deadly force by an officer, APD has a “moral compass” policy that requires an officer to consider whether they should use deadly force.
Read more: http://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2014/09/apd-faces-tough-questions-community-forum/