The finding
She filed a complaint. The city hired an independent investigator. He found gender bias, discrimination and a hostile work environment. Fifty-three days later, the city called it unfounded.
Chapter three, October 2020 to April 2021
The investigation
She filed her complaint on October 22, 2020. The city manager authorized an outside investigation by Austin Institute, LLC. The investigator interviewed 19 people between November 5 and December 10, 2020, and delivered his report on December 20.
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19 people interviewed
Independent investigation report, Austin Institute, LLC, December 20, 2020 -
8 of 90 officer positions held by women
Independent investigation report, Austin Institute, LLC, December 20, 2020, p. 13 -
5 employees the report found responsible
Independent investigation report, Austin Institute, LLC, December 20, 2020, p. 14
“It seems clear that Fitzpatrick’s success at the K-9 Board began a pattern of gender bias, discrimination, and adversarial targeting.”
“Our investigation confirmed that this subculture exists within the Department.”
As hard as it is for me to admit this, the way I have been treated has severely affected me.
Two files
What the investigator found
December 20, 2020
“Given the voluminous amount of evidence that supports a finding of Hostile Work Environment, Gender Bias and Discrimination by [five named employees], in targeting Officer Alicia Fitzpatrick.”
Independent investigation report, Austin Institute, LLC, December 20, 2020, p. 14
“Without exception, this finding of Hostile Work Environment, Gender Bias and Discrimination, is an indictment of unacceptable and atrocious conduct by the perpetrators within any organization.”
Independent investigation report, Austin Institute, LLC, December 20, 2020, p. 15
Recommended: termination, demotion, suspension and reprimands.
What the city announced
February 11, 2021
“Unfounded based on evidence provided.”
City manager’s memo, February 11, 2021Ordered: training and shift reassignment. No discipline appears anywhere in the record.
What happened next
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Nov 2020
The city asked the Texas Attorney General to let it withhold the records she had requested about her own case. In the same weeks, the sergeant who had started four of the complaints against her filed a broad records request about her. It led to the release of about 900 pages of her messages.
City letters to the Attorney General, November 6 and 13, 2020, and the open records request of November 13, 2020 -
Jan 20, 2021
She filed a sworn request asking the district attorney’s Public Integrity Unit to investigate. On February 10 she added an 82-page addendum asking for a Texas Rangers referral.
Her sworn request to the district attorney’s Public Integrity Unit, January 20, 2021, and the unit’s reply -
Feb 11, 2021
The city manager’s memo called the allegations “unfounded based on evidence provided” and ordered training and shift changes. No discipline appears anywhere in the record.
City manager’s memo, February 11, 2021 -
Feb 2021
By her account, she found a decapitated rabbit beside her personal car in the department’s secure lot. The cameras weren’t working.
Her email and photos at the time (the photos are not published) -
Mar 2021
The Public Integrity Unit wrote that it was “taking your allegations seriously.” No decision appears in the record.
Her sworn request to the district attorney’s Public Integrity Unit, January 20, 2021, and the unit’s reply -
Apr 12, 2021
The Austin American-Statesman reported that the investigation confirmed the subculture she described, and that the officers who targeted her were still employed at the same ranks.
Austin American-Statesman, April 12, 2021
