opinion
Union prez: police ready for Prop A
Proposal may stem tide of police quitting their jobs, but will it improve public safety?
Published August 14, 2024 at 6:02am by
APA President: We're Ready to Implement Prop A, Is the City?
Many believed the Austin Police Association (APA) would block Prop A, the police accountability and transparency ordinance, but today, we are working with the city to implement it.
For six months, we've negotiated a new contract, ensuring Prop A can be realized while protecting officers' rights and improving working conditions.
When we first met, we identified four key areas of Prop A conflicting with state laws: definitions, confidential files, investigation timelines, and grievance procedures. We agreed officers would waive some rights to implement Prop A fully.
The APA has crafted language that implements Prop A with due process, fairness, and transparency guardrails. We've compromised, and are ready to send a contract to the City Council.
Austin Police Department faces staffing crises, with dangerous delays in 911 response times. The APA proposes a competitive economic package to retain and attract officers, making Austin a premier destination for those in law enforcement.
This is an opportunity for change, and the APA is ready.
By Ken Casaday, APA President
Read more: Union president: Austin police are ready to sign contract, implement voter-approved Prop A