Interim city manager defends decision to appoint Austin police oversight director
Published: Wed, 10/11/23
Interim city manager defends decision to appoint Austin police oversight director
(CBS Austin file image)
CBS Austin
In a city memo, Interim City Manager Jesus Garza defended the decision to appoint Gail McCant as the Director for the Office of Police Oversight, amid questions from the Austin City Council and the public. The appointment followed the resignation of the former Interim Director, Devin Desai, last May.
Initially, the city manager had informed the council of a planned national search for a new director. However, the memo explained the change in plan was to provide stability to the OPO, especially in light of the recent focus on implementing Prop A, as approved by voters.
The memo underscored McCant's extensive experience of over 20 years in enforcing Civil and Human Rights, her tenure as an Equal Employment Opportunity investigator, and leadership of the City’s Equal Employment Fair Housing Office.
Garza acknowledged the surprise this announcement might have caused but emphasized the need to move forward swiftly with the implementation of Prop A, asserting that a national search would have delayed the appointment of a permanent director till next year.