As of Friday, October 1, the Austin Police Department (APD) will not send police officers to a scene if a crime is no longer in progress or is deemed a non-emergency. A task force will be sent in their place.
Austin’s Reimagining Public Safety (RPS) Task Force is geared towards finding alternative response solutions to non-emergency calls without sending a police officer. In these cases, residents are asked to call 311 or go online at iReportAustin.com instead.
“These response changes will ensure that we will bring all of our resources to bear, including officers and technical experts, to respond to all situations as appropriate,” said newly minted Police Joseph Chief Chacon. “We recognize the staffing challenges our department faces, and we are trying to be innovative in how we respond.”
Chacon secured his position as police chief yesterday after serving as interim police chief for the past six months.
The usual 911 emergency line will still be available, but the city hopes to mitigate calls and provide a better response to all through the divvy.
If the situation involves no immediate threat to life or property, the crime is no longer in progress, or the suspect(s) are no longer on the scene or in sight, the task force will handle these calls instead of officers.
“Safety is our Department’s number one priority. APD will still respond to emergency situations and thoroughly investigate crimes reported to the Department,” Chacon said in the official statement.
APD’s goal is to provide some relief to its current staffing challenges. The change allows officers to focus on responding promptly to 9-1-1 calls that involve immediate threats to life or property.
They say the change is due to a shortage of staff, a recent review of APD’s patrol COVID mitigation protocols, and finding alternative solutions without having to send an officer.
“Please understand, if somebody is in danger, we’re still going to send a marked unit and a uniformed officer to go handle it,” explained Chacon. “But for crimes that may have already happened and are now being reported, we are looking at alternative measures, and that’s what we’re working on now.”
Other non-emergency calls that qualify for RPS response:
- Animal Service
- Auto Theft
- Burglary of residence, business, or vehicle
- Crashes not requiring a tow, when there are no injuries, both drivers have proof of insurance and a driver’s license, and when neither driver is impaired
- COVID-19 Violations
- Verbal Disturbances
- Prostitution
- Suspicious Person / Vehicle
- Vandalism
- Theft
APD emphasizes that “The community is reminded to call 9-1-1 when there is an emergency and/or immediate threat to life or property.”
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