Austin Police Contract Delayed Amid Public Pressure and Controversy

Nearly two weeks after Austin city officials and the Austin Police Association reached a tentative long-term contract agreement, public pressure has led to a delay in the City Council vote. Initially scheduled for this week, the vote has been postponed to Oct. 24 to allow for "more time to review and to gather additional public input."

Council members will receive a briefing on the proposed contract during their work session on Tuesday. The delay comes after various advocacy groups and local organizations, including the union representing nearly 4,500 city workers, voiced opposition to the proposed contract, which is valued at nearly $218 million over five years and includes a 28% raise for officers.

"The proposed $218 million police contract raises significant concerns regarding transparency and equity for the rest of Austin's workforce," AFSCME 1624 said in a statement on Oct. 1. "While we support competitive wages for our police officers, we must also address the needs of essential services that keep our city running."

The city and the Austin Police Association have been operating without a contract for approximately 18 months. Officials hope that a long-term deal will boost recruitment and retention, as the Police Department currently has around 350 vacancies.

Disputes regarding contract language, particularly about compliance with the voter-approved Austin Police Oversight Act, emerged shortly after the deal was announced. Activists took issue with provisions related to the G-file, a confidential personnel file containing misconduct allegations and internal affairs investigations that did not result in discipline.

While the city maintains that the proposed contract complies with the oversight act, activists argue that the initial agreement to keep pre-contract G-file material private violated the act. A Travis County civil judge ruled that the city must discontinue the use of the G-file, prompting a revision of the contract language.

Interim City Attorney Deborah Thomas clarified in a memo last week that the contract does not allow for any legacy G-files and that all materials would be released retroactively and proactively. Michael Bullock, president of the Austin Police Association, initially stated that pre-existing G-file materials would not be released but later reversed his stance in interviews with other media outlets.

Activists with Equity Action, the organization behind the oversight act, also argue that the contract violates another aspect of the charter by allowing officers to file grievances. Kathy Mitchell, senior adviser for Equity Action, warned that this could lead to the reinstatement of pre-existing G-file provisions.

Mike Siegel, representing Equity Action and running for City Council, sent a letter to the city's legal team on Sept. 30 outlining concerns about the G-file and grievances. The delay in the City Council vote will allow for further review and public input on these contentious issues.