In a concerted effort to bring transparency and accountability, Congressman Greg Casar has thrown his weight behind the calls for a Department of Justice investigation into the Austin Police Department's use of force. Casar, who represents Texas' capital, amplified concerns regarding the treatment of minority communities and vulnerable groups by law enforcement officials.

According to a statement obtained by KVUE, the congressman urged the DOJ to specifically look into "excessive and lethal use of force ... particularly against communities of color and those with mental health conditions." This plea for federal oversight aims to potentially uncover and correct systemic patterns of discrimination and unconstitutional conduct.

This push is not without its detractors. In a statement given to CBS Austin, Michael Bullock, president-elect of the Austin Police Association, rebuffed Casar's remarks, stating, "I think he's out of touch with the work that we're doing. Austin Police Department has been one of the most progressive agencies you will find in the country..."

Casar's action follows a joint move earlier this month by Travis County District Attorney José Garza, Mayor Kirk Watson, and Interim City Manager Jesús Garza, who invited federal scrutiny into APD's 2020 protest responses. They aim to address a history of allegations and possibly initiate course correction after years of reported systemic failings. "I believe it's important to note that since the time of the 2020 protests, the City has implemented numerous police and procedure changes..." Interim City Manager Jesús Garza told CBS Austin.

Some of those changes involve the discontinuation of bean bag rounds and the promotion of more extensive de-escalation training. Despite these measures, Casar's correspondence with the DOJ lists specific instances and studies revealing the need for more profound reforms, especially concerning the police response to mental health crises, training practices, and racial disparities within APD.