2 Austin police supervisors demoted over pepper spray review

Two Austin police supervisors have been demoted after Chief Art Acevedo (ah-seh-VAY’-doh) determined they did not fully investigate use of pepper spray on a handcuffed man.

Lt. Allen Hicks on Monday was suspended for 45 days and Sgt. Scott Stanfield was suspended for 30 days over the March 17 incident during the South by Southwest Festival. Both were demoted to corporal/detective.

Department policy says use-of-force encounters must be reviewed thoroughly and swiftly.

The Austin Police Association president, Ken Casaday, says he agrees with accountability but the discipline went too far.

Bystander video shows another officer opening the door to a police transport vehicle, warning a handcuffed man to stop kicking and then discharging pepper spray.

That officer in August was suspended for 45 days and put on a year’s probation.