Thread by @Ron_Nirenberg, An active investigation, that will be referred to the district attorney and [...]

An active investigation, that will be referred to the district attorney and ultimately to a grand jury, is being conducted of the officer-involved shooting on Tuesday which happened when police were attempting to serve two arrest warrants for domestic violence.

1/25

State law prevents the public release of the body camera footage during the investigation, but I am requesting that the footage be released as soon as the investigation is complete.

It is in the public interest for San Antonians to be able to view the video themselves.

2/25

The incident underscores our ongoing work to redefine public safety to better serve each and every resident of our city.

So, let's talk policing in San Antonio.

3/25

I've met with many concerned residents and organizations over the past few months about the state of policing in our community and country.

Most folks know where I stand, but I still occasionally see some confusion online.

4/25

In a city as socioeconomically segregated as San Antonio, it's not lost on me that different corners of our city have very different experiences with the police.

5/25

And from what I've learned, many of our Black and Latino residents simply do not have the same types of experiences with police as their white neighbors.

Those disparities are shared across our nation.

6/25

Government should never be involved in exacerbating the pain felt by communities of color and we can’t perpetuate a business of policing poverty.

7/25

City governments are structured very differently, even across major Texas metros. In San Antonio, the Mayor & City Council have no say in the hiring or firing of officers.

Even our own Chief doesn't always have the final say in the firing process. https://www.ksat.com/news/defenders/2020/02/24/arbitration-underway-for-sapd-officer-who-gave-homeless-man-feces-sandwich/

8/25

Arbitration underway for SAPD officer who gave homeless man feces sandwich

Arbitration started Monday for a San Antonio Police Department officer who is trying to get a second indefinite suspension overturned.

https://www.ksat.com/news/defenders/2020/02/24/arbitration-underway-for-sapd-officer-who-gave-homeless-man-feces-sandwich/

I agree with the sentiment that there are specific opportunities to improve our public safety system.

Let's start with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with SAPOA - our police union.

9/25

Online, I've seen more than a few folks ask why I supported the 2016 CBA.

Well... I didn't. I was one of two 'no' votes. You can read my entire statement, when I was a councilmember for District 8, here: https://www.ksat.com/news/2016/09/01/district-8-councilman-ron-nirenberg-issues-statement-on-sapoa-contract/

10/25

District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg issues statement on SAPOA contract

District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg issued the following statement following the City Council's approval of a new collective bargaining contract with the San Antonio Police Officers Association:

https://www.ksat.com/news/2016/09/01/district-8-councilman-ron-nirenberg-issues-statement-on-sapoa-contract/

CBA & the budget: Many of elements of traditional policing (vehicles, equipment, weapons, officer personnel expenses) are guaranteed by the 2016 CBA.

These items account for roughly 82% of the overall SAPD budget and can't be altered through Council action.

11/25

The proposed FY2021 budget has an overall increase to the police budget largely due to a 5% officer pay raise that was guaranteed in the 2016 contract, accounting for $12M.

https://www.tpr.org/post/san-antonios-proposed-budget-gives-police-5-raise-moves-13-million-sapd-metro-health

12/25

San Antonio's Proposed Budget Gives Police 5% Raise, Moves $1.3 Million From SAPD To Metro Health

The City of San Antonio’s proposed 2021 budget is $2.9 billion. It’s flat with no growth due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.tpr.org/post/san-antonios-proposed-budget-gives-police-5-raise-moves-13-million-sapd-metro-health

Our public oversight process - The Complaint & Administrative Review Board (CARB) - is also prescribed by the contract struck in 2016, making it difficult to alter at a moment's notice.

Link to disciplinary procedures: https://www.sanantonio.gov/Portals/0/Files/SAPD/GeneralManual/303DisciplinaryProcedures.pdf

13/25

Our arbitration process, which allows officers who were fired by the Chief to contest their firing and in some cases be reinstated, is also secured in the current contract. https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/01/06/explained-how-arbitration-plays-out-for-disciplined-police-officers-in-texas/

14/25

Understand: How arbitration plays out for disciplined San Antonio police officers

Police officers have the right to appeal any disciplinary action against them. So how does the process work?

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/01/06/explained-how-arbitration-plays-out-for-disciplined-police-officers-in-texas/

Although this is the final year of the contract, SAPOA can exercise an evergreen clause of up to 8 more years if the next round of negotiations stall.

More on how the current deal was struck 4 years ago: https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/City-SAPOA-agree-to-contract-terms-8148791.php

15/25

City, SAPOA agree to contract terms

The city and the San Antonio Police Officers Association have settled on terms of a new collective-bargaining agreement, ending more than two years of intermittent and often contentious negotiations.

https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/City-SAPOA-agree-to-contract-terms-8148791.php

“Ok, so what about the 18% of the police budget that’s not guaranteed?”

Fair question. Currently, this portion of the budget accounts for things like fuel, bodycams, and 653 civilian employees - including 911 call center operators, mechanics and IT support.

16/25

Because of the nature of these jobs and services, it’s not as easy as it might seem to immediately reallocate or take an axe to this portion of the budget.

Full FY2021 proposed SAPD budget: https://www.sanantonio.gov/portals/0/files/budget/FY2021/SAPDFY2021ProposedGeneralFundBudget.pdf

17/25

So, what’s next? Beyond the FY2021 budget, negotiations for the next collective bargaining agreement could start in early 2021.

All parties need to be at the table in good faith.

18/25

As Mayor, my commitment is to help negotiate a fairer contract than the one I voted against 4 years ago.

My priorities for the next round of negotiations:

19/25

We have already made quite a bit of progress through the work we've just initiated.

Though we certainly have more work to do, I'm grateful for SAPD's willingness to address issues that are within their immediate authority.

20/25

Many residents and officers in our community agree that policing can't be the answer to every issue we face.

We can better invest in our people to promote a healthier, more equitable city.

21/25

This means redefining public safety in terms of police, public health, building codes, energy sources, expanding our green spaces, and well, everything City Hall touches.

Every resident of this city deserves to be safe in their homes, at work, at play — everywhere.

22/25

Soon, we will hear from our city manager on how we will go about realizing the future of public safety in San Antonio.

All of those who are willing, including our police, are invited to join us at that table.

23/25

Part of the road to that future will be paved at the negotiating table, and I’m ready to help deliver a contract that’s fair to our residents, supports our police and provides a renewed focus for our police department.

24/25

Long days and nights are ahead of us, but I’m always inspired by what San Antonians can accomplish when we work together.

This will be no different.

25/25

You can follow @Ron_Nirenberg.

Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled: