Austin City Council Passes Ordinance Granting Short Term Solution on APD Compensation, Supervision

Austin, Texas – During an Austin City Council meeting Thursday, council members discussed important topics such as police pay and oversight.

It comes after the Austin Police Association refused to negotiate a one-year contract extension, which the city approved last week.

Now, the Austin City Council has passed an ordinance providing a short-term solution to the issue of compensation and police oversight.

“I meant it then, and I mean it now. It will be better for everyone if we have a contract. And I sincerely hope that the union will sit down at the negotiating table and negotiate to make that happen for their members and for the community,” said District 5 council member Ryan Alter.

The current contract expires on March 31, and the city council hopes to reach an agreement with the APA before the contract expires.

“I think it’s time for us to stop talking to each other and just trying to blame each other, and instead come together and figure out how best to move forward,” says Alter.

Mayor Kirk Watson’s superseding ordinance says the city manager is tasked with developing and implementing a solution to APD’s officer shortage no later than March 31st.

“What he has been instructed to do, and what he will accomplish, is to make sure our police officers get a fair and appropriate pay increase this year, create incentives for hiring new employees to work to ensure that the police are fully staffed,” it says. in the message of the city. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson.

Mayor Watson is hopeful that negotiations between the city and the APA can resume.

Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon says the ruling will help the department during this short period of time until the APA and the city come to an agreement on the contract. But it will affect the hiring process.

“You know, the lack of a long-term agreement makes recruiting difficult. So it will affect my academies. I can have smaller academies. out the door very quickly,” Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon said.