The Chief Answers His E-Mail

Photo By Jana Birchum

Over the last several months, APD Chief Stan Knee declined repeated Chronicle requests for a face-to-face interview. Through a spokesman, he described past Chronicle coverage of the APD as inaccurate and unfair. He finally agreed to answer questions submitted in writing. Below are selections from the written Q&A.

Austin Chronicle: During a 1997 chief selection community forum, you said that if you were selected chief, Austin would have a significantly lowered crime rate in five years. ... What have been the challenges [in] obtaining that goal?

Stan Knee: I have pondered this question over and over these past few months and my answer is maintaining full staffing, and focus. We have to recruit and train new officers and get them out on the street quickly. In my five years we have been at full staffing only a few days. If we are to be effective we must solve this problem and I think the recruiting plan in place should do this. The other issue is focus. We need to make sure that we remain focused on issues from the community and crime.

AC: Does the APD currently have a set of written progressive disciplinary sanctions?

SK: No, each discipline case is different, even though the section violated may be the same.

AC: Do you believe discipline is meted out fairly within the department and equally among officers?

SK: Yes, the most often asked question is, 'Do employees with rank fair better in a discipline situation?' My response is 'No.' I have demoted managers, put them on Personal Improvement Plans and suspended them. I have had them retire prior to the completion of an investigation. With regards to all discipline situations, I give a great deal of consideration to the input of the employee's chain of command, as it relates to if the violation should be sustained and the appropriate discipline if sustained. Without a doubt this is the most difficult part of the job.

AC: Do you think the community is more trusting of the APD now versus when you first came here? Why or why not? Can you give specific examples?

SK: Absolutely. We have experienced numerous situations wherein the public questioned our actions and yet the demonstrations have been few and small in numbers. Our community meetings have become problem-solving sessions where the area command staff and the neighborhood people work to solve problems.

AC: What is your definition of police corruption?

SK: Corruption in policing is usually viewed as the misuse of authority by a police officer to fulfill personal need or want.

AC: How do you ensure that the APD is corruption-free?

SK: Preventing corruption begins with hiring people who understand the importance of being a professional police officer. Academy training and the Field Training Program are also critical. We go to great extent to instill upon each recruit that once you accept appointment as a police officer you are committing yourself to a life of service. This involves the following of laws and rules that guide an officer in the performance of his/her duties. We also stress the fact you have a duty to report corruption and abuse. Lastly, we do not tolerate abuse of authority.

AC: Do you intend to stay in Austin?

SK: Yes.