 "Photo: Larissa Mueller")
The city's Firefighters' and Police Officers' Civil Service Commission upheld the indefinite suspension of police Sgt. Michael Olsen on Friday.
After closing arguments, the commission took about five hours to reach its unanimous decision. The commission backed Chief Art Acevedo's firing of Olsen for using excessive force on the night Olsen shot and killed 25-year-old Kevin Brown. Brown was unarmed when he was shot, but had a gun earlier that night. The commission also said Olsen "did not use common sense and good judgement."
Acevedo said he was pleased with the finding. He said the department would hold officers accountable for bad choices in the field.
"When our officers are out there and they do the right thing, we're going to stand by them," he said. "My message to the community is that we are transparent. We are accountable. We will make the right choice for the right reasons."
He said the decision was in Olsen's best interest. The department will review its procedures and training, Acevedo said.
"In law enforcement, you're always looking at your policies and procedures," Acevedo said. "We are constantly looking at ways to do things better. We will continue to look at the way we train, but ultimately this case, to us, was about judgement of a pattern of behavior. Officers know when to use deadly force. The vast majority of officer-involved shootings are clear-cut cases of appropriate use of force."
Wuthipong Tantaksinanukij, vice president of the Austin Police Association, said the group was disappointed with the decision.
"Sgt. Mike Olsen clearly believed that Kevin Brown was armed and dangerous," he said. "The evidence shows that Mr. Brown was armed with a pistol during the foot pursuit, and because he was armed, he posed a threat to Sgt. Olsen's safety."
Tom Stribling, Olsen's attorney, said state civil service law allows Olsen to appeal to the district court.
"We will be considering all of our options over the next few days to make that decision soon," he said.
Olsen would not comment on the decision.
"We will pursue all options that we can pursue," Olsen said. "I'm going to get on with my life and do whatever I have to do to get through all this."
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