Police Reform

In a surprisingly close election Saturday, a proposal to repeal the San Antonio Police Officers Association’s right to collective bargaining fell short by a couple percentage points.

Proposition B is on the On the May 1 municipal election ballot. It would repeal collective bargaining for the police union. Supporters say this would allow the public to have a say in future police contracts. Opponents claim this will make it harder for the department to recruit and maintain officers.

A modest reform item "backpedals," according to activists.

HB 88, or the “George Floyd Act,” doesn’t just tackle first aid. The proposed law would also require police to intervene when they see another officer engage in abusive behavior.

The City of San Antonio wasted no time in getting to its key points of discipline reform during opening negotiations with the San Antonio Police Officers Association over a new five-year contract Friday.

In addition to the regular election for the San Antonio City Council and mayor on the May 1 ballot, council members approved two propositions for voters to decide.

If successful the measure will repeal Chapter 174, which was originally passed in 1974 by San Antonio voters. It allows police employees to collectively bargain their contracts over healthcare, salaries, disciplinary procedures and more.

Here are TPR's top local stories of 2020:

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg spoke with Texas Public Radio’s Dominic Anthony Walsh about police reforms, contract negotiations and funding.

After months of protests and difficult conversations, what is the way forward to create a more racially just and equitable San Antonio? In this locally…