Austin Police Department's behavior during the George Floyd protests in 2020 came under scrutiny, with 17 officers facing assault charges. however, these charges were dropped by Travis County District Attorney José Garza. Garza's office uncovered troubles within the department that could not be resolved through criminal prosecution.
In 2022, 19 Austin police officers were indicted for allegedly inflicting racially motivated and excessive force on protestors during the end of May 2020 protests. One officer was charged with severe assault following an inmate's incidence of aggression, which occurred days after Floyd's death.
Garza claimed in 2022 that many of the injured demonstrators were innocent bystanders, many of whom suffered serious injuries. One officer was charged twice, as documented in court records.
On Monday, the Travis County District Attorney's office announced on Facebook that 17 of the charges were dismissed, leaving only four officers to face further investigation.
Austin's Mayor Kirk Watson and District Attorney José Garza jointly called for a federal investigation, aiming to examine the "pattern or practice" of violent police response to crowd control during protests in 2020. They asserted that officers had used less-lethal beanbag rounds to control crowds and protect property, resulting in severe injuries for numerous demonstrators and community members.
The city has reportedly spent over $18 million to settle civil lawsuits filed by protestors, with eight ongoing cases. A protester named Justin Howell received an $8 million settlement after suffering a skull fracture and brain damage from being hit by a bullet fired from a tear gas canister.
The federal investigation aims to prevent future responses to protests from leading to unnecessary or unlawful use of force. The Justice Department has yet to release a statement on the matter.
However, the actual reason behind the District Attorney's call for an FBI investigation remains unclear in the provided sources. Federal agencies like the FBI often investigate police conduct when allegations of misconduct or excessive force arise, especially when local authorities appear unable to address the issue appropriately.
During the George Floyd protests, numerous civil lawsuits and settlements arose. For instance, the FBI launched an independent investigation into the death of Breonna Taylor, charging three officers with civil rights violations and conspiracy. In the George Floyd case, Minneapolis paid the Floyd family $27 million in a pre-trial civil rights wrongful death settlement, the largest in U.S. history. Additionally, many civil lawsuits related to police misconduct during protests continue to be litigated, seeking financial compensation and systemic reforms.
