Selected, then stalled
The K-9 board picked her. She never got the dog. What she got instead was five complaints in five months.
Chapter two, February to November 2020
The board picked her
Days before the board, she asked in writing to withdraw. Her lieutenant asked her to talk first, and she stayed in. In February 2020 the K-9 board selected her. Board members told the investigator she had scored better than the other candidates.
“The February 2020 K-9 Board where Fitzpatrick was selected to fill the position. This was confirmed by board members, who reported that Fitzpatrick scored better than other candidates. To date, the position remains unfilled.”
“Had boarded the best of all the candidates.”
The offer was verbal. The dog she would have handled was retiring, and the department said there wasn’t enough money to fill the spot. It was never filled.
What she heard
Her account, given to the investigator, is that the comments started as soon as word got out. She was told she only got it because she was admin’s favorite and because a female handler made the department look good. In briefings she was called “the little princess.” A supervisor told her to learn her place.
“Her physical stature and only getting the position because she is a ‘girl’ (noticeably not a woman).”
Five complaints in five months
Between the board and November 2020, five complaints were filed against her. One sergeant started four of them. The investigator found them without merit or not tied to any policy.
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5 complaints against her in five months
Independent investigation report, Austin Institute, LLC, December 20, 2020, pp. 4 to 8 -
4 of them started by the same sergeant
Independent investigation report, Austin Institute, LLC, December 20, 2020, pp. 4 to 8 -
38 min of her camera footage before any real mention of a possible DWI, the investigator wrote of one complaint
Independent investigation report, Austin Institute, LLC, December 20, 2020, p. 7
“Spends an inordinate amount of time going through pass on videos to find Officer Fitzpatrick on the video in order to single her out for criticism.”
“Clearly, we see a straightforward abuse of power, targeting and harassment of Officer Fitzpatrick from February 2020 when she first applies to board for the K-9 and till November.”
The report notes she “was commended” by command staff “for her decisive actions.” Command staff then stopped issuing counseling memos without a policy violation, which the report says was “due this abuse of power (and targeting).”