But the way a police officer is disciplined is stated in the police contract: «The details hidden in the treaty are the reason why so many of these officers have their jobs.» For years, the Austin Police Department`s contract limited civilian control, removed the recordings of infidel police officers, and kept some important internal affairs secret. This lack of oversight, accountability and transparency was related to the political control of Austin`s black community. The Austin Police Union reprimanded Acevedo for being with activists at a press conference to promise a thorough and swift investigation into Joseph`s death, and then filed a complaint against the chief who had discussed the shooting with cadet classes before the department completed its internal investigation, resulting in a reprimand from the city for subprotification. , who gave Acevedo four days` salary. The boss eventually fired Freeman, but the officer`s lawyers assured him of a $35,000 transaction and a «general dismissal,» meaning he can join another police department. Such run-ins have apparently left Acevedo with a faded look at the Austin police union. If citizens want their police officers to improve their interactions with the public, especially after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, they need to take a closer look at a city`s contract with their local police union. AUSTIN, Tex. – After decades of mass complaints and protests, we have tried a new tactic: target one of the most problematic police contracts in the country. As a result, Austin has moved from a retrograde treaty to one that offers transparency and accountability. Other cities can follow suit.

Joseph`s death was a blow to the black community, as were the injustices suffered by Mrs. King. So we decided that the police contract was the best way to reform. We knew it would be a fierce fight. This employment contract essentially prevented people from making complaints against police officers and was notoriously difficult to influence from the outside. Casar knelt with activists who protested police brutality at the start of a city meeting in October and said he intended to vote against the draft agreement despite the union`s concessions. «Many of these reforms are common sense and should be fundamental expectations for any police authority,» Casar said, «and they are still not enough.» For us, the turning point came in 2016 after a police officer killed David Joseph, a naked and unarmed black teenager. For example, a video circulated showing Breaion King, a thin black teacher, who is forcibly arrested and unnecessarily at a traffic stop.