How Much Power Do Police Oversight Offices Really Have?

Protesters stand outside of the APD headquarters with a sign reading Defund police add budget $402M

Negotiations between Austin officials and the police were breaking down in part over the city’s attempts to increase police accountability in 2018. The city’s citizen review panel disbanded. Finally, that November, the parties reached an agreement, though tensions remained. A new office was created and staffed by civilians rather than police: The Office of Police Oversight.

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