An incident involving an Austin police officer and a member of the public on Sixth Street has prompted an official investigation, according to details shared by the Austin Police Department (APD). The officer in question was captured on video striking an individual during a crowd control operation late Friday night and has since been removed from patrol duties.
The Austin Police Chief, Lisa Davis, confirmed that the officer had been placed on restricted duty and stated, "I want to assure our community and partners this investigation will be thorough, transparent, and timely," as reported by CBS Austin. Further, APD is in the process of collecting additional evidence, including conducting interviews with not only the officer involved but also with any witnesses, and reviewing camera footage from the scene.
Details of the incident have drawn sharp criticism from community leaders, including Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. Watson addressed the events of Friday night, condemning the officer's actions in a statement shared by KVUE: "I have seen the video of an Austin Police Officer on 6th Street last night. The action is inexcusable and indefensible. There is no room in APD for such violent behavior or for someone who claims to be a public servant and acts that way."
The identity of the officer involved has not been released to the public. In her commitment to uphold the department's integrity, Chief Davis asserted that updates on the ongoing investigation would be provided, as the community's trust is paramount. Meanwhile, APD is urging anyone who might have information related to the altercation on Sixth Street to come forward and contact their Special Investigations Unit. This call to the public was echoed in the statements released by both CBS Austin and KVUE.
