The Austin Police Department is preparing to revise its use-of-force policy following an in-depth review that identified inconsistencies in training, data collection, and reporting practices. The reform effort comes as law enforcement experts and city officials call for greater transparency and improved accountability within the department.
The changes stem from an evaluation led by Dr. Robin Engel, a senior research scientist at Ohio State University, who was brought in to analyze the department’s use-of-force data. The review revealed that Austin’s statistics show a higher rate of reported force incidents compared to other major police departments nationwide.
According to official figures, Austin police recorded nearly 3,000 instances of force in 2024. Of those, less than one percent were classified as Level 1, the most serious category, which includes officer-involved shootings. So far this year, there have been seven such incidents. The data also indicates that force was used in more than ten percent of all arrests, a rate notably higher than the national average of around five to six percent.
Dr. Engel explained that the elevated numbers are partly due to how Austin police define and categorize “force.” Even minor physical interactions between officers and subjects — such as guiding a person by the arm or handcuffing during resistance — are logged as use-of-force events. While this approach promotes thorough documentation, it can also distort comparisons with departments that report only major or injurious incidents.
In response, the Austin Police Department has established a specialized task force to address these inconsistencies and ensure a standardized approach to reporting. The group’s work also aims to instill a stronger culture of de-escalation across all levels of the force.
“What we really need to be thinking about is how to change the culture,” said Dr. Engel. “De-escalation must become not just acceptable but expected within the APD.”
A central recommendation from the task force involves a comprehensive training initiative for all sergeants. The proposal includes a week-long course in the Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT) model, a nationally recognized framework designed to reduce risks of injury to both officers and civilians. The ICAT model emphasizes assessing threats, evaluating options, and using the least amount of force necessary to safely resolve situations.
Under this model, officers are encouraged to follow a step-by-step process: gathering information, assessing threats and risks, considering departmental policies, identifying tactical options, acting with restraint, and reviewing the outcome afterward. The structured approach aims to foster better judgment, communication, and decision-making in high-stress encounters.
Dr. Engel noted that the proposed policy revisions are still in draft form but are designed to consolidate various guidelines into a single, clear framework. “This unified policy will help ensure consistency in how force is understood, applied, and reported,” she said.
The ultimate goal of the reform, according to officials, is to reduce both officer and citizen injuries while reinforcing public trust in the department. By improving training, clarifying definitions, and standardizing reporting, the Austin Police Department hopes to create a more accountable and transparent system that aligns with community expectations.
The department’s leadership has expressed support for the reforms, emphasizing that building trust through accountability and de-escalation is essential to effective policing. Once finalized, the new policy will mark one of the most significant updates to Austin’s use-of-force standards in recent years, signaling a broader shift toward modern policing practices centered on communication, safety, and respect for
