After convening the Discipline Review Board, Officer Julie Schroeder was indefinitely suspended and Sgt. Don Doyle has been given a 28 day suspension for the incident that occurred on June 9, 2005. Sgt. Doyle has agreed with his discipline. Pursuant to Civil Service law, I am the one tasked to determine appropriate discipline. As in all other discipline situations I have made my decision to discipline based upon the facts of the each case not based on emotions.

While this decision concludes this case I will not be discussing the details of my decisions until after Julie Schroeder has exhausted the appeals process. Civil Service law allows for officers that receive any discipline in excess of a written reprimand to appeal my decision to either the Civil Service Commission or to an independent arbitrator unless the officer agrees to the discipline.

Much has been said in the community about Sgt. Doyle and Officer Schroeder not being truthful in the statements that they made during this investigation. I have found both Sgt. Doyle and Officer Schroeder to be completely honest and truthful during this entire process.

As I have said many times over the last eight years, Austin has one of the finest police departments in the country. This Department has a long tradition of going the extra mile for victims and neighborhoods subject to crime. I am proud that officers have remained professional and have not allowed the events over the past few months to interfere with the quality of services provided to this community.

Chief Stan Knee