CPRC votes to recommend proactive release of redacted body-worn camera footage from June ICE-related protest

The Community Police Review Commission voted Sept. 24 to approve a recommendation asking the Austin Police Department to proactively release redacted body-worn camera footage related to arrests made during an ICE-related protest in June 2025.

Commissioner Chris, the item’s author, told the commission the draft had been under discussion for several months and asked APD to publish footage of the individual arrests with redactions consistent with the Texas Public Information Act. ‘‘It allows the public to see for themselves if officers made lawful or unlawful arrests,’’ the commissioner said during discussion. Peter Hunt of the Austin Justice Coalition urged the commission to pass the item, calling proactive release ‘‘a good practice’’ that builds public trust.

Commissioners asked whether the draft had been reviewed by the city’s law department; participants said they understood legal review had not been completed. Commissioners debated only the scope — the recommendation would apply to footage of arrests, not full protest recordings — and whether there were known adverse effects from release. After a motion and second, the commission approved the recommendation.

The recommendation is advisory; APD is not required to follow it. Commissioners framed the vote as a transparency measure and said it was consistent with the Texas Public Information Act’s redaction framework. The commission did not set an implementation timeline in the meeting; next steps noted in discussion included confirming legal review and coordinating with OPO and APD on the mechanics of posting the footage.

The commission moved on to other business after the vote.