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11/21/2005 10:14 PM

Internal Affairs clears Schroeder

By: James Keith

In a stack of more than a 1,000 pages lies the details of an Internal Affairs investigation conducted by the Austin Police Department into the shooting death of Daniel Rocha.

The file contains witness statements and interviews from officers and almost everyone at the scene of the June 9 shooting.

The documents also reveal the Internal Affairs investigator's opinions about whether Officer Julie Schroeder acted within guidelines when she shot and killed Rocha.

"It was determined that the decision to utilize deadly force against Daniel Rocha was within the policy by Austin Police Department General Order B101 Use of Force," the report said.

Despite the report, last week Austin Police Chief Stan Knee fired Schroeder, a recommendation made by a Citizen's Review Panel.

"These folks (Internal Affairs) have done a hard, hard job put in lots of hours and work then at the last minute, they're second-guessed by their chief," Police Association President Mike Sheffield said.

Schroeder was also cleared of any wrong doing by a grand jury.

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The CRP, which recommended Schroeder's firing, met Monday night for the first time since the firing.

"The Austin Police Department has concerns about injustice. The community has concern about injustice. So, now we have two entities," Austin resident Patricia Calhoun said.

The same person who fired Schroeder is also responsible for rebuilding the community's trust in the department.

"We keep talking and talking. People are dying. Police officers are angry the community is angry, when do we do something. That is my concern," Calhoun said.

The stack of papers is more than just recommendations and facts. Some people say it's another reason to examine the system and always keep it in check.

Schroeder is appealing Knee's decision to fire her from the police department. An arbitrator is expected to hear the appeal and make a decision in the next couple of months.