APD disciplinary appeal hearing to be televised;

Hearing first under 2007 resolution sponsored by Council Member Cole

For immediate release
Jan. 28, 2008

Council Member Sheryl Cole today noted that February proceedings in the Civil Service Commission appeal hearing of Austin Police Sgt. Michael Olsen will be televised on a delayed basis.

The hearing will mark the first to be broadcast on the City’s municipal Channel 6 under a Council resolution sponsored by Cole last year.

“Televising these hearings is intended to increase transparency in the public safety disciplinary process,” said Council Member Cole. “The public deserves the opportunity to see how this process is carried out.”

If a public safety employee is suspended or terminated through an action by the Fire Chief or Police Chief, the employee may appeal the disciplinary action and request a hearing before either the Civil Service Commission or a hearings examiner. At the hearing, each side can present evidence in support or against a disciplinary action.

At its Jan. 24 meeting, Commission members voted to delay broadcasts of the proceedings in this case until after both sides had presented evidence and witnesses. That process is expected to take several days.

Commissioners and Commission counsel expressed concern with testimony potentially being tainted by witnesses watching evidence as presented on complete and unedited televised broadcasts. Legal representatives for the City and Sgt. Olsen supported the move.

The broadcast delay will apply only to the evidentiary portion of the hearing. Once all witnesses have testified, broadcasts could take place on a same-day or next-available-time basis on Channel 6.

The appeal hearing is scheduled for Feb. 19 at the City of Austin’s Learning and Research Center, 2800 Spirit of Texas Drive. Though coverage on City Channel 6 will be delayed, the hearings are open to the public.

Olsen is appealing a November 2007 indefinite suspension from the Austin Police Department.

Contact: Stephanie McDonald, Office of Council Member Sheryl Cole, (512) 974-6022