City of Austin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERelease Date:
Contact: APD Public Information Office 512-974-5017 Email
The Austin Police Department (APD) is aware that a Travis County Grand Jury has indicted Officer Alejandro Gaitan for his actions during an incident that occurred on March 12, 2021. This use of force incident, like all use of force incidents at APD, immediately underwent an internal review process to determine if it was within policy and law. This review process included members of the Internal Affairs Unit, APD Executive Team, and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU). The Office of Police Oversight also reviewed the incident and APD SIU staffed the case with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office. Officer Gaitan is accused of using excessive force while attempting to arrest a subject who had an outstanding warrant.
As a result of these reviews, in March 2021, Chief Chacon made the decision to place Officer Gaitan on restricted duty. On February 13, 2023, due to official felony and misdemeanor charges via “Information” by the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, Chief Chacon took the further step to indefinitely suspend Officer Gaitan without pay.
“Upon notification and review of this incident, APD immediately launched an internal investigation and on March 26, 2021, the case was forwarded to the Special Investigations Unit to conduct a criminal investigation," said Chief of Police Joseph Chacon. "I respect the Grand Jury process, and for that reason, I made the decision at that time to delay taking further administrative action until the case could be reviewed by a Travis County Grand Jury, consistent with prior practice.”
APD will continue to cooperate with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office on this case. Two other officers involved received 90-day suspensions for failing to intervene.