Official complaint and discipline documents
As part of our mission, the Office of Police Oversight publishes official documents related to the complaint investigation process and disciplinary decisions made by the Austin Police Department.
Temporary suspension of Detective Douglas Drake
Chief of Police Brian Manley determined that Detective Douglas Drake's actions violated Civil Service Commission Rule 10.03(L), and suspended him from duty for forty-five days, effective October 9, 2019 and continuing through November 22, 2019. Internal Affairs' investigation revealed that Detective Drake violated Civil Service Rules when he engaged in inappropriate communications related to a double fatality collision.
Temporary suspension of Officer Bryan Menduni
Chief of Police Brian Manley determined that Officer Menduni's actions violated Civil Service Commission Rule 10.03(L), and suspended him from duty for fifteen days, effective September 10, 2018 and continuing through September 24, 2019. Internal Affairs' investigation revealed that Officer Menduni failed to follow the General Orders on two separate occasions, once in a family violence case and once after causing minor damage to a police vehicle.
Temporary suspension of Sergeant Christopher Keen
Chief of Police Brian Manley determined that Sergeant Keen's actions violated Civil Service Commission Rule 10.03(L), and suspended him from duty for ten days, effective August 13, 2019 and continuing through August 22, 2019. Internal Affairs' investigation revealed that Sergeant Keen failed to promptly notify Internal Affairs or his chain of command of his personal knowledge of Officer Wagstaff's relationship with a stalking crime victim.
Oral reprimand of Officer Austin Holmes
Commander Wright delivered an oral reprimand to Officer Holmes for using a tobacco product while engaged in official police business. This is a violation of policy 946.2, Smoking/Tobacco Use.
Formal Complaint: Acts Bringing Discredit Upon the Department
Complainant alleges officer illegally parked to take a meal break. Office of Police Oversight recommend that this allegation receive a B classification.
Formal Complaint: Smoking/Tobacco Use
Complainant alleges that an officer was smoking a cigarette while engaged in official police business. Office of Police Oversight recommend that this allegation receive a B classification.
Formal Complaint: OPO declines to make a recommendation
Two complainants came in to the OPO to file a complaint regarding an Officer Involved Shooting. The Office of Police Oversight declines to make a recommendation regarding the classification of this complaint, as it is already under investigation. All Officer Involved Shootings are fully investigated.
Formal Complaint: Impartial Attitude and Courtesy, Personal Conduct
Complainant alleges that an officer may have made inappropriate comments during a traffic stop. Office of Police Oversight recommend this allegation receive an A classification.
Formal Complaint: Impartial Attitude and Courtesy
Complainant alleges that officer conducting traffic broke driver side mirror on car. Office of Police Oversight recommend this allegation receive a C classification.
Formal Complaint: OPO declines to make a recommendation
Complainant alleges an officer followed him and indirectly accused him of stealing. The Office of Police Oversight declines to make a recommendation regarding the classification of this complaint.
Formal Complaint: OPO declines to make a recommendation
Complainant alleges an officer has behaved in a discriminatory and dishonest manner. The Office of Police Oversight declines to make a recommendation regarding the classification of this complaint.
Indefinite suspension of Officer Jordan Wagstaff
Chief of Police Brian Manley determined that Officer Wagstaff's actions violated Civil Service Commission Rule 10.03(L), and indefinitely suspended him from duty effective June 17, 2019. The Internal Affairs' investigation revealed Officer Wagstaff engaged in an inappropriate social/personal relationship with an alleged stalking crime victim.
Formal Complaint: Response to Resistance, Responsibility to the Community
Complainant alleges that officer forced entry into the complainant's apartment. Office of Police Oversight recommend this allegation receive a B classification.
Formal Complaint: Reporting the Active Targeting of a Firearm at a Person
Complainant alleges that officer did not follow procedure when actively targeting a firearm at a civilian. Office of Police Oversight recommend this allegation receive a B classification.
Formal Complaint: Acts Bringing Discredit Upon the Department
Complainant alleges that an officer attempted to use APD office and authority to avoid a traffic citation. Office of Police Oversight recommend this allegation receive an A classification.
Formal Complaint: Neglect of Duty
Complainant alleges that officers did not interview complainant in response to a 9-1-1 call for assistance. Office of Police Oversight recommend this allegation receive a B classification.
Formal Complaint: Crash Investigation and Reporting
Complainant alleges that officers did not follow procedure in response to a car crash investigation. Office of Police Oversight recommend this allegation receive a B classification.
Formal Complaint: Privacy and Security of Records
Complainant alleges that officer accessed secure personal records about civilians and allowed a non-police employee to access secure records for personal use. Office of Police Oversight recommend this allegation receive an A classification.
Written reprimand of Officer Christopher Judd
Commander Rogers delivered a written reprimand to Officer Judd for an incident in which he took custody of an arrested person's property and lost the property prior to arriving at the jail. This is a violation of policy 618.4, Evidence Processing and Submission.
Formal Complaint: Smoking/Tobacco Use
Complainant alleges that officer used chewing tobacco and was spitting while arresting someone. Office of Police Oversight recommend this allegation receive a B classification.
Formal Complaint: General Conduct and Responsibilities
Complainant alleges he came out of his house to see his wife in a confrontation with an officer. Office of Police Oversight recommend this allegation receive a B classification.
Indefinite suspension of Officer Donald Petraitis
Chief of Police Brian Manley determined that Officer Petraitis' actions violated Civil Service Commission Rule 10.03(L), and indefinitely suspended him from duty effective March 18, 2019. Internal Affairs' investigation revealed that Officer Petraitis provided false statements in his report about Officer Pfaff's use of a Taser.
Indefinite suspension of Officer Robert Pfaff
Chief of Police Brian Manley determined that Officer Pfaff’s actions violated Civil Service Commission Rule 10.03(L), and indefinitely suspended him from duty effective March 18, 2019. Internal Affairs' investigation revealed that Officer Pfaff's use of a Taser was not objectively reasonable and a violation of Austin Police Department policy.
Formal Complaint: Deadly Force Applications
Complainant alleges that officers used deadly force and torture in the wrongful death of an individual. Office of Police Oversight recommend this allegation receive a D classification.
Formal Complaint: Responsibility to the Community
Complainant alleges that officer falsely accused an individual of evading a chase while allegedly drunk or intoxicated. Office of Police Oversight recommend this allegation receive a D classification.
Formal Complaint: General Conduct and Responsibilities, Impartial Attitude and Courtesy
Complainant alleges that officer caused damage to his vehicle by striking it three to four times with a flashlight. Office of Police Oversight recommend this allegation receive a B classification.
Formal Complaint: Responsibility to the Community, Impartial Attitude and Courtesy
Complainant alleges that when he requested to talk to an officer’s supervisor, the officer responded by saying he was going to write him more tickets. Office of Police Oversight recommend this allegation receive a C classification.
Temporary suspension of Officer Bryan McCulloch
Chief of Police Brian Manley determined that Officer McCulloch’s actions violated Civil Service Commission Rule 10.03(L), and temporarily suspended him from duty for seven days, effective January 10, 2019 and continuing through January 16, 2019. Internal Affairs' investigation revealed Officer McCulloch violated multiple policies, including joining pursuit of a stolen vehicle without supervisor approval, committing numerous traffic violations, and failing to operate his vehicle with due regard for the safety of others.
Formal Complaint: Family Violence Arrest Requirement for Assaultive Offenses, Victim information
Complainant alleges that officers failed to arrest the alleged offender for interfering with an emergency call and did not provide the Victim Assistance Information pamphlet during a family violence incident. Office of Police Oversight recommend this allegation receive a B classification.
Indefinite suspension of Commander Jason Dusterhoft
Chief of Police Brian Manley determined that Commander Dusterhoft’s actions violated Civil Service Commission Rule 10.03(L), and indefinitely suspended him from duty effective December 20, 2018. Internal Affairs' investigation revealed Commander Dusterhoft committed multiple policy violations including Acts Bringing Discredit to the Department.
Indefinite suspension of Sergeant Marci Laczko
Chief of Police Brian Manley determined that Sergeant Laczko’s actions violated Civil Service Commission Rule 10.03(L), and indefinitely suspended her from duty effective December 12, 2018. Internal Affairs' investigation revealed that Sergeant Laczko violated multiple policies.
Formal complaint: Neglect of Duty, General Attendance
Complainant alleges officer comes home while still on duty.
Temporary suspension of Officer Mark Lakes
Chief of Police Brian Manley determined that Officer Lakes’ actions violated Civil Service Commission Rule 10.03(L), and suspended him from duty for ten days, effective November 27, 2018 and continuing through December 6, 2018. Internal Affairs' investigation revealed that Officer Lakes failed to report a Response to Resistance in a timely manner.
Indefinite suspension of Officer Gregory Burnett
Chief of Police Brian Manley determined that Officer Burnett’s actions violated Civil Service Commission Rule 10.03(L), and indefinitely suspended him from duty effective November 16, 2018. Internal Affairs' investigation revealed that Officer Burnett did not fully complete the state mandated Texas Workers' Compensation Work Status Report.
Formal Complaint: Response to Resistance, Determining the Objective Reasonableness of Force
Complainant alleges that three unknown officers assigned to the Downtown Area Command (DTAC) attacked him, breaking five ribs and causing him to have a punctured lung. Office of Police Oversight recommend this allegation receive an A classification.