APD Cops Seen In Photos With Men Who Made White Supremacist Signs

AUSTIN, TX — The Austin Police Department is facing backlash after officers posed for photos during a recent pro-police rally where some of those gathered flashed hand gestures associated with white supremacists.

Photos were shared across social media showing the officers posing for pictures with members of the Wind Therapy Freedom Riders during a Sunday demonstration titled "Re-Fund the Police," a rebuke of the city council's recent reallocation of funds from the police budget to social services agencies that critics describe as a defunding.

The photos taken in front of City Hall shows some people in the photos flashing hand signs suggesting white supremacy. Photos shared on social media also show members of the group with flags in support of Donald Trump, along with signs reading "Recall Adler" (referencing Austin Mayor Steve Adler) and others critical of progressive council member Greg Casar.

At least one photo shows men flashing the sign associated with white supremacists but police are not clearly seen in that photo. In a group photo featuring police, the same men are seen in one corner and at least one can be seen making the same gesture.

Patch reached out to the Austin Police Department seeking confirmation that officers were among those in the photo where two men flashed white power signs. "Thank you for clarifying the persons you are inquiring about by describing their location in the photo," a police department spokesperson wrote. "We can confirm that the following described persons are Austin Police Officers based on the fact that they are wearing department issued uniforms bearing the Austin Police patch. A female with a blue mask and wearing a hair bun, a male to her right with a blue face cover, also a male to the same females left (as you look at the photo) with his head looking down, and a shoulder wearing a navy colored shirt, to the left of the male looking down. All persons described above appear to be wearing APD department issued uniforms bearing the Austin Police Patch."

On their Facebook page, the Wind Therapy Freedom Riders group acknowledged the use of hand signs by some posing for the photos. But the group insists those flashing the gestures were members of the white supremacist group called "Proud Boys" who jumped into the picture session uninvited.

"On Nov. 1, 2020, The Wind Therapy Freedom Riders gathered in support of the men and women of the Austin Police Department and to advocate for needed public safety funding. During the course of that rally, we posed for a group photo with several officers at which time, members of the “proud boys” organization jumped into the picture unbeknownst to us. These individuals were not invited to participate in the event nor do they reflect the values of the Wind Therapy Freedom Riders."

The group blamed the media for the resulting controversy: "Anything other than this is what has become the typical media fake news spin. It’s sad time [sic] when the media tries to create a story that simply is not there. There is an entire FB Live video showing what the media is not showing, the truth."

The Austin Police Department this week also responded to the ensuing outcry, and said an internal investigation has been launched as a result. The Austin Police Department statement — a copy of which was provided to Patch — follows:

"On Sunday, Nov. 1, APD officers were working to provide a safe environment for a peaceful protest coordinated by the Wind Therapy Freedom Riders. At the end of the event, several officers, who we are working to identify, were asked to take a photo with participants which is not an uncommon request from the community.

"We are aware of the concerns raised by this photograph and have launched an Internal Affairs investigation to determine any potential violations. APD policies 801.6 and 972.4.1 address endorsements and political activity. We have specific guidelines, and all officers should be aware of these policies. As a reminder, we are sending a training bulletin to all APD officers and employees, to help remind them of our department policy.

"APD is committed to fair, impartial and equitable treatment of all people. We do not justify or condone political activities in uniform. Given the politically charged climate we will be advising officers to exercise additional caution when engaging with the public to ensure the uniform isn't used — either directly or inadvertently — to imply support or opposition of a particular perspective."

The controversy comes at a time of growing scrutiny of the Austin Police Department, particularly after demonstrators calling for police reform over the spring were seriously injured after police indiscriminately fired beanbag projectiles to disperse crowds.