Less money means fewer APD officers

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Austin Police Department has to make some changes with a budget shortfall of $5 million that is delaying the start of a cadet class by six months.

The leaders said this change might affect the way departments are staffed.

"Basically we've [charged] the commanders to go and look throughout all the different sources that [they] have within their particular divisions, and come back and bring us recommendations," said Assistant Police Chief David Carter.

One recommendation has been to move members of specialty units in APD to regular patrol duty.

"So, one of the things we look through is the issue of the downturn, and we basically challenged those commanders to think about what might happen in the worst case scenario," said Carter.

Placing members of specialty units on street patrol is the department’s worst case scenario. It is still unknown which units might be on the short list to lose members.

Pamela Baggett, a teacher of mental health issues at APD's crisis intervention unit, heard SWAT may be on that list that could lose members as well as the canine unit, all of which worry Baggett.

"We thought it sort of had been put to rest, and then all of a sudden, it pops back up," said Baggett. "I really did not think it would be the crisis intervention team because it is a very short-sided way to save money."

Members of the crisis intervention team help during difficult times such as standoffs. In the long run, Baggett feels it could mean more work for officers and the justice system.

"The crisis intervention team has come a long way in recent years," said Baggett. "Initially we relied on the sheriff's department for mental health police and they are excellent."

APD leaders understand that moving any specialist will be detrimental, but no decisions have been made on the subject just yet.