CPRC sets up SharePoint access and working groups to begin reviewing APD case files

The Community Police Review Commission at a special December meeting moved forward with the technical and organizational steps needed for commissioners to begin reviewing Austin Police Department case materials.

Kevin Masters of the Office of Police Oversight told commissioners the file-sharing platform will be on SharePoint and that four commissioners have already completed training. "The system that we're gonna be using for to sharing the files, it's gonna be on SharePoint," Masters said, and staff will set up City of Austin accounts, provide links to individual and group folders, and walk commissioners through audio and video access.

Commissioners discussed logistics for small three-member working groups that will triage a larger list of cases and identify a subset for deeper review. The chair emphasized the time commitment: case reviews can take several hours each depending on redactions and multimedia evidence, and he advised using audio speed controls and slowing video playback when appropriate.

Masters said staff will assign commissioners to working groups by email and enable folder access shortly after assignment. He also confirmed staff will provide closed-session briefings with APO and APD staff when detailed Q&A is necessary and that higher-level summaries can be provided in public meetings.

The plan is for triage groups to scan the full case list, prioritize matters of community interest or potential systematic issues, and forward selected cases to the full commission for closed-session review and public disposition. Commissioners who have completed boards-and-commissions training still reported they were awaiting SharePoint access tied to formal working-group assignment.

Next steps: the chair will finalize working-group assignments and staff will schedule SharePoint training and grant folder access so commissioners can begin case review.