Keisha Gillis, Community Engagement Specialist, Office of Police Oversight (OPO), explained the function of the OPO as receiving complaints and compliments and then how each is processed and reported to the Austin Police Department. A complaint or thank you may be submitted online, by phone, fax, mail, email, or in person. A handout gave contact information for each of these options. A complaint may be filed either anonymously or by name and the complainant has access to all proceedings pertaining to his complaint. The investigation process:
OPO receives complaint
APD Internal Affairs (IA) begins an investigation with the OPO
Complaint classified as to severity (A, B, C or D complaints)
Chief of Police determines outcome as to disciplinary action and/or policy change
Decisions announced: Sustained, Exonerated, Unfounded, or Inconclusive
Notification of outcome to original complainant
Note: If the OPO Director disagrees with the APD Chief, he/she may write a letter to the Chief of Police stating the objections and make the letter public to complainant, the press, etc. The OPO is also a resource to the community to answer questions and concerns about the APD, to promote mutual respect between law enforcement and the community, and to engage the community through participation and partnerships. Ms. Gillis has contacts with and supports programs through numerous community agencies (Mobile Loaves and Fishes, SAFE, high schools, numerous youth programs, the homeless, etc.) through which police-community engagement and cooperation are enhanced. This was an excellently presented and informative program that brought much remarkable activity to the attention of NxNE Rotary members.