Programs

As part of the Austin Police Department’s mission and commitment to enhance accountability, openness and transparency, we are preparing to purchase body-worn cameras for our police officers. This informational website is provided for community awareness about the program.

The Austin Police Department provides up-to-date police reports to the public online. These reports include Compstat reports and the Chief's monthly reports.

Get involved in the APD Safe Place program.

The 2024 Spring Class is closed. Information about the 2024 Fall Session will be coming soon.

The Community Police Academy (CPA) is a fourteen-week program designed to give the public a working knowledge of the Austin Police Department. Each session consists of weekly classes that meet at a designated location. The class curriculum is comprehensive, and each week different units within the department are covered.

The Homeless Outreach Street Team or HOST is a new, innovative and collaborative initiative that operates in the Downtown and West Campus area, occasionally assisting other parts of the city to address the needs of people living on the streets. HOST is modeled after similar successful programs that have taken root in other cities in the U.S.

The Leaders in Knowledge & Support (LinKs) program reaches out to High School students interested in learning about the connection between Law Enforcement and their community. Students will be exposed to opportunities to gain knowledge about the Austin Police Department and its many specialized units. Through presentations and community engagement activities students will gain a better understanding of how Law Enforcement operates and how beneficial it is for police officers to establish partnerships with the communities they serve.

National Night Out is a great opportunity for citizens and law enforcement to partner up against crime. It is designed to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness,
• Generate support and participation in crime prevention efforts,
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community relations,
• Let criminals know that neighborhoods are informed and vigilant.

Beginning September 1, 2021, HB1927 made it legal in Texas for most people 21 or over to carry a handgun in a holster without a permit both openly and/or concealed. 

This law modified the previous open carry law from 2016 by eliminating the requirement to have a license to carry.