Today, the Austin Police Department (APD) addressed the sentencing of Officer Christopher Taylor. Chief Lisa Davis expressed her sorrow over the impact of this event on both the community and the department. She said, "I am saddened by the fact that so many have been impacted by this tragic event. This is a tragedy for the Austin community and the Austin Police Department."
Chief Davis emphasized her responsibility to guide the department forward by examining and addressing issues that contributed to this incident. She noted, "Although I have been the Chief here only a relatively short time, I know that the Austin Police Department is continually re-evaluating its training and practices to provide the highest level of service to the community."
She praised the talent within APD, stating, "I am proud to lead a police department of men and women who are dedicated to serving and protecting our community." Her commitment as Chief includes earning trust through transparency, accountability, and action.
Chief Davis assured that under her leadership, officer safety and wellness will be prioritized in training, policies, and procedures. She said, "The foundation of our practices will be grounded in constitutional policing, police legitimacy, and procedural justice."
She concluded with a call for city leadership support in providing officers with necessary resources: "We cannot fail our community or our officers. We must prevent these tragic events in the future."