Executive Summary
Demonstrations occurring in Austin during the last week of May of 2020 devolved into chaos. A relatively small number of individuals embedded within mostly peaceful crowds committed criminal acts that ultimately escalated into rioting and looting within the City from May 29th to May 31st, 2020. Based on expectations defined by previous experiences with hundreds of peaceful demonstrations and protests, the Austin Police Department (APD) was unprepared for a riot of this magnitude. Miscalculations alongside actions and inactions of APD personnel, including those in leadership positions, contributed to the challenges. The demonstrations continued for months, and APD adjusted its tactics ultimately stabilizing the situation.
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Future of Policing 