AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk announced Sunday that the release of bodycam footage of the officer-involved shooting that killed Michael Ramos will be delayed.
A newly established city policy requires the video to be released within 60 days of the incident; however, the Office of Police Oversight has not yet had an opportunity to review the footage.
City officials released a statement addressing the situation on Sunday:
Under a newly established policy the Austin Police Department is required to produce and distribute a Critical Incident Community Briefing video under certain circumstances. The Police Department has produced an initial video regarding the recent officer involved shooting that resulted in the death of Michael Ramos. In accordance with this policy, the Office of Police Oversight is required to consult and provide feedback on the production of such videos. That has not happened.
Additionally, the policy also allows an opportunity for certain relevant parties to privately view the video prior to public release. Unfortunately, the Ramos family was presented with a viewing of the video prior to the Office of Police Oversight having provided feedback. The City Manager has directed this video be withheld from public release until the Office of Police Oversight has had an opportunity to fully review the video and ensure that all requirements of the policy are appropriately met.
Ramos, 42, was shot and killed on April 24 by APD officer Christopher Taylor at a Southeast Austin apartment complex. Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore has said she plans to present the case to a grand jury.
This is the first incident to go through the city's new policy on releasing body camera footage.
