City delays release of video in police killing of Mike Ramos, citing APD policy violation

Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk will delay the release of a video that shows the killing of Mike Ramos by a police officer after the Austin Police Department did not follow policy, the city said on Sunday. The video was set to be released Monday morning.

Under the policy, "the Office of Police Oversight is required to consult and provide feedback on the production of such video," a city spokesperson said in a statement sent to Austonia. "That has not happened."

An APD officer fatally shot Ramos, a 42-year-old black and Hispanic Austin resident, in April. The death has been one of several that inspired weeks of protest in Austin and around the country as well as calls for police reform and the replacement of APD Chief Brian Manley.

Representatives from four social justice groups—Austin Justice Coalition, Texas Fair Defense Project, Just Liberty and Texas Appleseed—sent a letter on Saturday saying that they do not believe the policy violation was an accident.

The city's full statement is below:

"Under a newly established policy the Austin Police Department is required to produce and distribute a Critical Incident Community Briefing video under certain circumstances. The Police Department has produced an initial video regarding the recent officer involved shooting that resulted in the death of Michael Ramos. In accordance with this policy, the Office of Police Oversight is required to consult and provide feedback on the production of such videos. That has not happened.

Additionally, the policy also allows an opportunity for certain relevant parties to privately view the video prior to public release. Unfortunately, the Ramos family was presented with a viewing of the video prior to the Office of Police Oversight having provided feedback. The City Manager has directed this video be withheld from public release until the Office of Police Oversight has had an opportunity to fully review the video and ensure that all requirements of the policy are appropriately met."