Austin Police Association

06/02/2026

Today marks 3 months since the shooting on W 6th St.

This past Thursday, we had the opportunity to honor the actions of all of public safety as well as remember the lives of those that were lost.

Public safety professionals don’t seek recognition. Most will simply say they were doing their job.

But recognizing their action matters. It remind us why these men and women choose to serve, why they answer the call when others run from danger, and why they stand in the gap for people they may never meet again.

The reality of this work is heavy. It means witnessing tragedy and carrying the weight of lives lost. We should never become numb to that—one life lost to violence is one too many.

At the same time, we must recognize what was accomplished. Lives were protected and saved because first responders acted without hesitation. Officers ran toward the threat. Firefighters and medics moved into chaos to provide aid. Dispatchers, supervisors, investigators, Victim Services counselors, and support personnel each played a critical role when every second mattered.

This event was where we honored that service, that sacrifice, and the unwavering commitment to protect our community.

05/25/2026

Today is a day to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country — not for any one person, but for a set of ideals, liberties, and a way of life. For the spirit and ethos that make this the greatest country on earth.

Our challenge is to never forget those sacrifices.

At APD, that legacy is carried on in many ways, but today we wanted to highlight one.

APD K9 Haley is named in memory of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Cody Haley, who died on August 4, 2017. Lance Cpl. Haley served with the 1st Marine Division and deployed with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in March 2016.

K9 Haley’s partner at APD, served alongside Lance Cpl. Haley in the Marines. Naming K9 Haley after Cody was one small way for our department to ensure his sacrifice is never forgotten.

As we reflect on this Memorial Day, may we always remember those who gave everything for our nation.

05/22/2026

Yet another example of how license plate readers are actually used.

Not for surveillance. Not for tracking innocent civilians. Not for political abuse.

They’re used to catch criminals, track down murder suspects, and help keep our communities safe.

These are public safety cameras, and they come with strict guardrails and accountability measures to ensure the technology is used appropriately and responsibly.

05/22/2026

When violent criminals, stolen vehicles, or missing persons are on the move, every second matters. License Plate Reader (LPR) technology gives law enforcement another tool to quickly identify vehicles connected to crimes and help keep our communities safe.

LPRs don’t replace police work — they help officers respond faster, recover stolen vehicles, locate suspects, and protect innocent people. Across the country, agencies are using this technology to solve crimes that otherwise may have gone unsolved — and doing it within constitutional bounds.

Public safety and accountability can go hand in hand. With clear policies, oversight, and responsible use, LPR technology can help law enforcement focus on criminals — so that those who are victimized by those criminals can find justice.

05/22/2026

Another day, another APA cook! 🍔🔥🌧️

Our team was out today at the East Substation off Springdale Rd., cooking for every shift and serving up hot meals to keep our officers fueled while they keep watch over the east side. And not even the rain could deter us from showing up and supporting those out there getting the job done!

Needless to say, they need it — it’s been busy out there! We’re proud to support the men and women working hard every day to keep our community safe. 💙

05/19/2026

Austin spent part of this weekend sheltering in place while armed suspects connected to a random shooting spree moved through South Austin in stolen vehicles.

Families stayed inside praying they wouldn’t become the next victim.

APD launched one of the largest mobilizations in recent memory to stop the violence. But here’s the part everyone should pay attention to:

The suspect vehicle was ultimately located because Manor Police Department had license plate readers.

Austin doesn’t anymore.

This is no longer a theoretical debate about technology or politics. This is about whether officers have the tools to find violent suspects BEFORE more people get hurt.

License plate readers helped locate a stolen vehicle tied to an active violent crime spree. They did not replace probable cause. They did not replace constitutional rights. They provided a lead that helped officers move faster while lives were at risk.

Austin residents deserve both public safety AND constitutional protections.

The real question is this:

Should officers be forced to fight violent crime blindfolded while other cities use modern tools to protect their communities?

Read the full article below.

Let’s talk about license plate readers.

05/18/2026

Our investigators lost critical hours tracking down today’s shooting suspects because Austin’s City Council chose politics over public safety and prevented APD from using license plate readers and other crime-fighting technology.

Those cameras could have helped identify suspect vehicles faster, track movements across the city, and potentially stop additional shootings before more innocent Austinites became victims.

Instead, our officers were handcuffed by their own city leaders.

While violent criminals exploit every advantage they can get, Austin police are being denied tools that departments across the country use every day to solve violent crimes and protect their communities.

How many more victims will it take before this council starts prioritizing public safety over political activism?

05/15/2026

One of the greatest resources our patrol officers have is the APD Patrol K-9 Unit! These officers and their four-legged partners are available 24/7 to assist with high-risk stops, suspect searches, building searches, and much more.

These K-9s are invaluable in helping officers do their jobs more safely and effectively. Their handlers are highly trained professionals who set the standard in law enforcement for how police dogs are deployed and utilized in the field.

The Patrol K-9 Unit is a small but mighty team that’s a key part of what helps keep both our officers — and the Austin community — safe every day!

05/15/2026

Today we were honored to host Governor Greg Abbott as he announced his plans for expanding public safety reforms to protect victims and hold criminals accountable. Standing side by side with Texas legislators from the House and Senate ready to tackle this issue for Texans who have been harmed by the poor decisions of prosecutors and judges.

For too long victim’s voices have been silenced by elected prosecutors more interested in leniency for criminals than justice for victims.

It’s time to change that.