Zimmerman provides glimpse into policymaking by un-elected bureaucrats

Screenshot from the video clip

If you think the City Council has the final word on policy regarding Austin Police Department body cameras, think again.

See the following press release from District 6 Austin City Councilman Don Zimmerman's office for an example of how un-elected city workers often write rules in lieu of the City Council's direction or input -- in this case, policy regarding the use of footage obtained by officer-worn body cameras.

On Monday, May 23, 2016 at the Public Safety Committee meeting chaired by Austin City Council Member Don Zimmerman (District 6, Northwest Austin), Commander Ely Reyes from the Austin Police Department (APD) confirmed what Council Member Zimmerman has been saying for over a year, that APD, and other city staff, routinely make critical policy decisions irrespective of voting or even consultation of elected City Council.

In the meeting, Council Member Leslie Pool asked Commander Reyes “That's for adoption by council, right? So you're writing the policy for the council?” and his response was “No. The council doesn't approve our policy. Our policy has already been approved and implemented within the department.”

A video clip can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/CouncilmanDonZimmerman/videos/1030398933696217/

The full Public Safety Committee meeting can be found at: http://austintx.swagit.com/play/05232016-732/0/ 

Note: By no means are we implicating Commander Reyes or the good men and women of the Austin Police Department by sharing this press release. This is a critique of the City's policy drafting process, and not of any one individual.