August 18, 2009, 6pm-8 PM, City Hall Council Chambers, 301 W. Second Street, 1st Floor

Office of the Police Monitor Special Meeting

Public Input Agenda: The public meeting will be held at City Hall Council Chambers at 6:00 PM. The following is the agenda:

1. 2009-0605: Critical Incident [the shooting of Nathanial Sanders: Daily Texan / You Tube view police video]
2. Community Policing Issues

Complainants/Citizens may address the Citizen Review Panel about the above items.

If you wish to address the Citizen Review Panel please sign up 30 minutes in advance of the Public session. For additional information on any agenda item, please contact Office of the Police Monitor, City of Austin 512-974-9090.

The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require special assistance for participation in our programs or use of our facilities, please call 974-9090.

Press Release

Citizens Review Panel to study officer-involved fatal shooting; APD forwards Internal Affairs report to Police Monitor’s Office

The Office of Police Monitor will present the Austin Police Department’s internal affairs report on the officer-involved fatal shooting of Nathaniel Sanders II to the Citizens Review Panel at a special session Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Austin City Hall .

As part of the oversight process, the investigative findings are analyzed by both the Office of the Police Monitor and the Citizens Review Panel. While the majority of the panel’s Aug. 18 meeting will be conducted in executive session, there will be a brief opportunity for the public to comment at 6 p.m.

The APD Internal Affairs Division report, done under the direction of Police Chief Art Acevedo, was delivered to the Police Monitor’s Office Tuesday, Aug. 11.

After a comprehensive review of the Internal Affairs Division investigative findings and consistent with the Austin Police Association/City of Austin Meet and Confer contract, the review panel, upon a majority vote of its total members, may make recommendations to the Chief of Police.

Those could include:
* Accepting the findings and agreeing with the recommendation(s) of Internal Affairs.
* Calling for further investigation by the Austin Police Department.
* Finding that department policies need review and/or change.
* Seeking an independent investigation into the case.
* Making a written, non-binding recommendation on discipline.

Shortly after concluding its review, the Citizens Review Panel will forward its recommendations to the Police Chief. The Chief will take administrative action as he deems necessary.

He will also release the investigative findings of the Internal Affairs Division and the administrative conclusions of the Citizens Review Panel to the public according to the Meet and Confer contract and legal requirements.

Sanders was fatally wounded May 11 in the parking lot of an East Austin apartment complex. A Travis County grand jury declined to indict the police officer involved.