The Austin Public Safety Commission is angry over Police Chief Brian Manley. Last week, Chief Manley pushed back against the city council’s order that asks police to stop making arrests for low-level marijuana possession.
Manley said the city can’t direct police to ignore state drug laws. Public Safety Commission Chair Rebecca Webber replied in commission session, Manley “stuck a middle finger in the eye of the council.” She continued, “is that giving any of us confidence, that Chief Manley reaction to this is anything more than…we have to look at the data again and argue about the complexities.”
Data from 2018 shows disparities in arrests between whites and non-whites. APD said data from last year will show a marked improvement.
(Photo:Shutterstock/Brandon Seidel)
