An open letter to City Council:
Mayor, Councilmembers, Aides:
I really hope the rumors are true that Ott's
about to be given walking papers in the form of a 'strongly encouraged'
resignation...but in case not, here's yet MORE ammo on how Ott has completely let
the APA dictate APD management.
First, understand that every time there
is a sanctioned outside consultant or investigator brought in to advise on APD
matters, Ott has done the opposite of those recommendations, which just so
happens to be exactly what the APA wants. In this case, the investigator said
there was "no policy violation," yet Ott reprimanded Acevedo anyway.
On what basis? The only driver here is the APA.
Secondly, since when does Ott have a
problem with the Chief working with community groups? That's always been touted
as one of his major strongpoints!
Lastly, let's put this in context. Until David
Joseph's death, every
time the chief has opened his big mouth immediately following an
APD-involved shooting, he's said it "appeared to be a good shooting;"
or said he supported his officers actions; or planted a 'justification bug'
(like "there was a struggle" without immediate evidence thereof); or
flat out failed to conduct the most BASIC investigation and watch the rare
available video BEFORE going on tv and claiming it to be a good shooting.
"Coincidentally," this is exactly what the APA wanted, and
"coincidentally," these are the irresponsible statements Ott's
ignored.
Just a few of MANY examples of Acevedo's
"jackboot in mouth disease" that Ott let fly:
--Nathaniel Sanders, II: Six hours following
Nate's death, the Chief said at the press conference, with Marc Ott standing by
his side, "it appears to be a good shooting." Ott's eyes opened wide
in shock, but
did he discipline him for it? No. (A couple of years later, I
was re-wagging my finger at the chief for this and he laughed...LAUGHED...and
said, "but notice I said 'appears'!" I found this nauseating, not
humorous).
--Daniel Contreras: I happened to be blocks away
when the news broke and raced over. I begged the chief to watch the video
before going on TV. The press was chomping at the bit for a statement, so
instead, he raced towards the cameras and exclaimed Daniel shot twice at the
officer. Six months later, the public got to see the video. Not only did Daniel
not shoot his gun, he didn't aim it towards the officer and, in fact, had
turned to run away when the officer shot him. Any discipline for
that? Zilch.
--Byron Carter, Jr.: he said off the bat it was
a good shooting even though Byron was an unarmed PASSENGER in the seat of a
car. No matter the evidence that slowly spilled out defying this ludicrous
claim - he still stuck to his story and said in federal court it was the
"best shooting <he>'d seen in a long time"--when the officer
was aiming for the driver! Discipline? Claro que
no.
--Keypoint-Gate: remember this little gem? After
Ott caved to APA's demand not to release the full report (eventually leaked to
media), Acevedo got his CHiPs friend to make margin notes that were highly
unprofessional, which the media found & published, further embarrassing the
already red-faced City. Discipline? Not even a
stern look.
--Eschelon building attack: Acevedo hopped a
heli and beat Ott to the scene, going on camera to say it wasn't terrorism, but
the act of a lone nut...which ended up being the case, but that's beside the
point. Getting it wrong could have put our city in further jeopardy. Ott was
livid because he thought they should at least get some facts and consult with
each other before making that call, but did he discipline
him for this? You guessed it.
--Blaming the public for a suspect’s suicide
was a reprehensible attempt to shift the conversation away from APD’s
ineptitude surrounding the death of Esme Barrera, who may have been saved if
APD responded to the report of the first attack that night. *insert cricket sounds
emanating from Ott's office*
--’At
least our cops don’t rape you’ -essentially- to justify
non-justifiable jaywalking arrests (a ticketable offense at most by any logic).
This went viral: giving "Keep Austin Weird" a new, twisted
definition. Not long afterwards, two APD officers were caught on audio making a
“rape joke” (as APD and the media termed it), saying “we can’t unrape you” -
furthering our nationwide embarrassment. Slap on the hand?
Nuh-uh.
--Going to an execution in his chief uniform as if the City of Austin endorses the
death penalty. This may seem like a small thing, but it did raise a few council
eyebrows and it may have been an actual policy violation (unlike what he
just decided to discipline him for). Written
reprimand? *sigh*
--Promises, promises: "I will decrease racial profiling!" Happen? Nope. Ott hold him to it? Nope.
--Promises, promises: "I will decrease racial profiling!" Happen? Nope. Ott hold him to it? Nope.
Ott has NEVER
disciplined him before, but now---this???
In consistency, balance and safety,
Debbie Russell
