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11/16/2005 09:28 PM

Classified Rocha report leaked

By: James Keith

Austin city leaders want to know who is responsible for leaking classified information to the Austin American-Statesman.

City Manager Toby Futrell hired a 'fact finder' to determine who may be at fault.

The article in Wednesday's edition brought a lot of joy for Daniela Rocha.

"I was thrilled and happy and glad to know that it was out," she said.

The story offers insight into the Austin Police Monitor's citizen oversight committee.

That group is investigating the actions of Austin Police officer Julie Schroeder and her supervisor Sgt. Don Doyle, specifically on the night of June 9, the night Schroeder shot 18-year-old Daniel Rocha to death.

"I want some justice and I want her to be out of the force," Rocha's mother, Daniela said. "Be put on trial like any other citizen would be if any other citizen did something like that."

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According to the Statesman article, the review committee agrees, Schroeder should be fired, but the city refuses to release the committee's recommendations.

Officials say those suggestions are private, privileged only to the police chief and those associated with the Police Monitor's Office.

Mike Sheffield, President of the Austin Police Association, suspects foul play amongst the committee. He recalled the night members voted and heard public comment.

"What I saw was very well orchestrated," Sheffield said. "The speakers got up there and there was a common theme that resonated throughout everyone who came up to the podium. It was fire Officer Schroeder and demote Sgt. Doyle and if they didn't get what they want, fire everyone."

Rocha's family wonders why the police association questions the committee now.

"They praised it when it went their way," Rocha family lawyer Bobby Taylor said, "and now the first time that group stands up and exercises it's right to say fire this officer, it's clear something is wrong, fire this officer, he stands up and says ignore them?"

In the end, the only opinion that really matters is that of Austin Police Chief Stan Knee.

He says leak or no leak, he'll make the best decision.

"I receive input from a variety of sources," Knee said, "but the bottom line is, this is an unemotional process in which the Chief of Police has to do the right thing based upon the facts and based upon policy."

One mother will be watching and reading close as he does.

"I want justice and won't stop until I get justice," Rocha said.

Schroeder and Doyle will appear before the APD's Disciplinary Review Board Friday morning.

A decision about their futures with the police department will be determined then.