The Austin Police Association is opposed to Austin City Council’s move to halt Police Academy training as the department is mired in allegations of systemic racism.
Citing those allegations, Austin City Councilmember Natasha Harper Madison is drafting a resolution that would put training on hold while an audit is performed. APA President Ken Casaday said, he supports a departmental review, but not any academy stoppage since they are behind on staffing. “We are currently allowed 1959 officers, we are presently at…1789 officers, that’s 170 vacancies.”
Casaday added the Academy recently hired on a civilian training specialist to review the academy training program and process. He hopes council will reach out to the specialist before voting on a stoppage. Council is set to look into the resolution in December.
(Photo:Shutterstock/By Prath)
