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Austin Police and the city have worked hard to come to an agreement we both support. An agreement which we agree is the best path forward to fully implement Prop A, while also improving public safety, working to lower response times, and addressing our critical staffing crisis.

This tentative agreement reflects our commitment to public safety and our respect for the will of Austin’s voters.

“Austin Police have done what many thought was impossible. We have agreed to terms, approved by the city attorney’s office, to implement Prop A. We’ve removed barriers and have worked as partners with city staff, ready to move Austin forward. Both sides now accept and recognize that the courts will determine what information is released from past and closed investigations with regard to the G-file, not any contract. We now look forward to the city council vote to pass the contract. Every day, Austin Police work hard to deliver excellent service and public safety. This tentative agreement reflects thousands of hours of dedicated work by city officials to recognize officers service and still implement the will of Austin voters.”
— Michael Bullock, APA President

Four Facts YOU NEED TO KNOW About the City of Austin / Austin Police Tentative Agreement

  1. It fits in the budget. There is NO budget adjustment. No programs are being cut. No reallocation of funds. City of Austin staff ensured that our TA works with the 5.9 billion dollar 2024-25 budget adopted by council on August 14, 2024.

  2. It implements Prop A. Police representatives and city staff have worked hard and agreed to contract language certified by the City Attorney as being in compliance with Prop A.

  3. It directly addresses our public safety staffing crisis. Hiring and retaining the best and brightest law enforcement candidates requires the city to not just be competitive, but to be attractive to potential officers. This new contract addresses key issues for recruitment and high-quality officer retention.

  4. It opens more doors and gives the city greater flexibility for hiring standards. We all want to ensure that every applicant has a fair and equitable opportunity to serve in public safety. By updating our contract language, Austin Police have partnered with the city to bring modern flexibility to future hiring opportunities.

To the Honorable Mayor Kirk Watson and members of the Austin City Council,

I am writing as a concerned citizen and local resident of Austin to express my strong support for the city council voting to accept the tentative agreement between the City of Austin and the Austin Police Association. I believe that this agreement is crucial to the safety and well-being of our community.

Over the past few years, the Austin Police Department has faced significant staffing challenges, now being short nearly 500 officers. As a result, we have seen an increase in response times, growing from 6 minutes and 53 seconds in 2010 to over 9 minutes just a decade later. This not only puts the safety of our community at risk but also places an undue burden on our officers who are working tirelessly to serve us.

Add your signature and send your support for the new Austin Police Contract.

Accepting this agreement will not only enhance public safety but will also enable our police department to improve recruitment efforts, attract talented new officers, and ensure we have a well-staffed, well-trained force that can effectively respond to the needs of Austin’s residents. By reducing response times and bolstering our police department’s capacity, we can ensure that our community remains a safe and welcoming place for all.

I strongly urge you to support this agreement and make the safety of our city a top priority. Thank you for your continued dedication to the people of Austin.

Sincerely,

Non-Austinite Supporter?

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Pol. Adv. Paid for by Austin Police Association Political Action Committee