In a new study funded by the Greater Austin Crime Commission released on Jan. 11, data shows that the Austin Police Department requires at least 108 more police officers for more efficient crime resolution in the city.
According to the GACC, a significant increase in the police force's numbers would significantly improve public safety outcomes in the city, as well a sharp reduction in response time from the current eight minutes to six and a half minutes, according to CBS Austin. Despite these findings, the Austin Police Department would still need approval from city leaders in order to have access to the resources needed for extra hiring.
"We’re very excited, through our knowledge no other major city department in the country has done an evidence-based staffing model like the one we released today," said Corby Jastrow, president of the commission, according to CBS Austin.
Currently, Austin Chief of Police Joseph Chacon reports that his agency currently consists of 774 patrol officers, while the study from the Greater Austin Crime Commission recommends there be a least 882, according to CBS Austin. With COVID quarantining and long-term leave for the military as listed as current setbacks in police numbers, the department already has a list of vacancies as well as 17 positions that are set to become available by the end of January.
"The big things about what we accomplished today is the Austin Police Department now has evidence-based patrol modeling," Jastrow continued to CBS Austin. "No more guessing about staffing models, no more guessing about cops per 1,000 and no more taxpayer funded staffing studies."
According to KXAN, the Austin Police Department was besieged by staffing problems last year due to an influx of retirements, resignations and the lack of new cadet classes. Through future hires, the Austin Police Department will be able to fill those gaps while also hastening response times.