Community questions APD dash-cam policy

AUSTIN (KXAN) - After outcry from Monday morning's officer-involved shooting, community members are calling on the Austin Police Department to overhaul its dash-camera video system and policy.

Senior Police Officer Leonardo Quintana shot and killed Nathaniel Sanders, 18, Monday morning after Quintana said he saw Sanders reach for a gun, according to the police.

But out of the three officers on scene, only one had their dash cam rolling. Officer Quintana's camera did not capture the incident, Acevedo said Wednesday.

As for the camera that did roll tape, "...that has provided and is providing critical details," Acevedo said.

Department policy states officers are required to record all traffic and pedestrian stops, sobriety tests and pursuits. It is unclear why Quintana, or the other officer on scene did not have operational dash cam video on the morning of the shooting.

"Until we get the details as to why he did not turn it on, and why it wasn't on, I withhold judgment on it," said Acevedo.

Many are now questioning APD's federal funding requests for other items rather than dash-cam video systems.

Debbie Russell with the Austin Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, notes that earlier this year, the city requested $800,000 for surveillance cameras, and other items for the city's 2010 Legislative funding agenda.

"If they don't know how to operate dash cam video, how can we expect them to operate surveillance cameras?" said Russell

Acevedo said it is not up to the department on which requests are funded, and which are not, and would not say whether surveillance cameras are more important than new dash cameras.

In 2005, Officer Julie Schroeder's dash-cam video recorder did not record the officer involved shooting of Daniel Rocha. Schroeder later re-enacted the video but was eventually let go from the Austin Police Department.

In 2007, dash-camera video did pick up audio recordings of Sgt. Michael Olsen's officer involved shooting of Kevin Brown. Police Chief Art Acevedo eventually fired Olsen from the force.

The Pflugerville Police Department recently applied for new funding for the beginnings of a digital dash-cam system for up to 52 patrol vehicles. The Pflugerville Police Department is using 2009 Justice Assistance funding to pay for a server system that would allow the transition from VHS to Digital.

On Pflugerville's city council agenda from April 14, Pflugerville Police Chief Charles Hooker said, "VHS formats are becoming obsolete and service will soon be unavailable."

Hooker said the advantages of digital dash cam systems are "...improved video and audio quality or recorded critical evidence."

Currently, the Austin Police Department uses VHS format. Acevedo has said the same about the format.

"My understanding is that there's only one company left that makes VHS tapes," said Acevedo.

Acevedo wants to look for funding to upgrade the video camera system, but did not specify when that request would happen.

"We have actually started this process before trying to get the cameras replaced," Acevedo said. "Because of the funding it died on the vine."

Below is the full press conference where Art Acevedo where he talks about the dash-cam policy: