Equity Action Lawsuit Seeks to Halt Austin Police Contract Over Transparency Issues

Equity Action has submitted an amended lawsuit against the City of Austin, seeking to prevent a vote on a proposed police contract that the advocacy group contends jeopardizes voter-approved transparency measures. The lawsuit, submitted before a planned City Council vote on Thursday, asserts that the contract may jeopardize essential elements of the Austin Police Oversight Act (APOA), which received strong backing from voters in May 2023.

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The group's concerns focus on using a confidential personnel file system called the "g file." In August, a Travis County District Court judge determined that the city's utilization of these files violated the APOA, which prohibited them. Equity Action contends that the unclear wording of the proposed contract might enable arbitrators to circumvent or invalidate essential transparency provisions.

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"The adjustments we have proposed are straightforward and would ensure that the language in the agreement aligns with what the city staff is expressing," stated Chris Harris, board president of Equity Action. The group is seeking an urgent hearing to discuss the issue before the vote occurs.

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The lawsuit further highlights the shortcomings of the Office of Police Oversight, pointing out its failure to perform several required duties, such as investigating police misconduct and providing disciplinary recommendations. Equity Action argues that without enhanced protections, the proposed contract will diminish oversight and transparency, risking the accountability that voters sought through the APOA.

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