Austin City Council to discuss resolution to investigate APD of racism

AUSTIN, Texas - Austin City Council is deciding how it wants to respond to allegations of racism and homophobia within the Austin Police Department. One of the items council members will consider is a resolution to launch a new investigation.

There's already a third party investigating the allegations but some council members want more.

Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison and her colleagues will be holding a press conference to discuss Item 66, a resolution that is calling for an investigation into APD.

The Harper-Madison sponsered resolution is calling for an investigation into the APD for a culture of "racism, bigotry, or discrimination."

In full, the city's website calls for Item 66 to "Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to hire an independent investigator; undertake a comprehensive investigation and evaluation of the Austin Police Department for racism and other discriminatory attitudes, training, protocols, or procedures; and delay the start of new cadet classes."

The resolution stems from allegations made by an anonymous whistle-blower against former Assistant Police Chief Justin Newsom. The complaint alleged that Newsom used racist slurs to describe his colleague, former Assistant Chief Frank Dixon.