11 Austin officers disciplined for actions in May protests

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Eleven Austin police officers have been disciplined for their actions during late May protests over racial injustice following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the city announced Wednesday.

Austin Police Department Chief Brian Manley completed his review of all known complaints and incidents involving his officers during the demonstrations, according to a statement released by the city. The city did not detail the punishments for the 11 officers or the specific complaints that led to the reviews.

The statement said seven additional officers are “currently on administrative duty awaiting the District Attorney’s review of their incident.”

Floyd died on May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee against the handcuffed Black man’s neck for several minutes while Floyd said he couldn’t breathe. His death sparked demonstrations around the world.

In Austin, two protesters were hospitalized with head injuries after being shot by police with less lethal munitions.

In June, Austin City Council members heard hours of testimony from residents on police use of force on protestors, including pepper spray and less lethal munitions. Manley vowed that month to no longer allow police to use less lethal munitions against crowds of protesters exercising their constitutional rights of free speech and free assembly. Austin council members voted to ban the use of chokeholds.