Austin Police Officers are gravely concerned with the termination of Officer Julie Schroeder. The Officers of the Austin Police Department knew Chief Knee would respond to the loudest critics of the Department and this incident proves Knee is a weak chief.

This incident has also proven we have created a kangaroo court with the Citizen Review Panel. The CRP lost its credibility when information was illegally leaked to put political pressure on a weak chief.

This incident has forced Chief Knee to respond to the critics not on the facts, but based on political pressure.

This action today by Chief Knee proves what we have long suspected: that he no longer has the heart, guts or backbone to defend those in uniform who constantly face violence and death at the hands of wanted criminals and dangerous, armed, drug dealers. Today's firing has literally removed the last vestige of confidence that the rank and file had in their leader.

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This is the last in a long string of injustices that we will accept from this chief. We are tired of seeing careers and lives ruined as this administration leaves another police officer hanging out to dry. Instead of making political threats and rattling sabers I will say that this union has no place left for the proper respect that should be due to the Austin Chief of Police.

It is our duty from this day forward to work toward one goal: the removal of Stan Knee as Chief of Police in Austin, Texas.