Civilian Review Commission discusses police policy changes and vacant commissioner positions

The Austin Community Police Review Commission (CPRC) is taking significant steps to enhance its oversight of police policies following a recent meeting on August 15, 2025. A key focus of the discussion was the need for a robust backstop to prevent police departments from circumventing oversight recommendations, particularly in critical cases. Commissioners expressed concern that if the police can handle matters internally without accountability, the existence of the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) and the CPRC could be undermined.

Commissioner Terry Floyd emphasized the urgency of addressing how a recent case was managed, stating, “If they can do that this time and they saw that they got away with it, we gotta develop a backstop.” The commission agreed to work with the police department to adjust policies to ensure better alignment and accountability.

In addition to policy adjustments, the commission discussed the proactive release of redacted body camera footage from a protest incident in June 2025. While there was a push to vote on releasing this footage, it was decided to table the discussion until the next meeting to allow for proper review of the documentation.

The meeting also highlighted the need for timely onboarding of new commissioners. The CPRC plans to expedite the selection process for six vacant positions from an existing standby list, aiming to have these individuals trained and ready to serve within two months. This initiative is intended to streamline operations and ensure that the commission is fully staffed and functional.

Furthermore, the commission is working on establishing clearer rules and procedures to enhance its operational efficiency. This includes drafting guidelines that will help commissioners understand the processes for making recommendations and addressing concerns.

As the CPRC moves forward, these discussions and decisions are expected to strengthen its role in overseeing police conduct and ensuring community trust in law enforcement practices. The next meeting will continue to build on these action items, with a focus on accountability and transparency in police operations.