AUSTIN, Texas — Police dash cam video showed the violent arrest of Austin school teacher Breaion King in 2015. Former Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo found out about it a year later.

But he could not take disciplinary action because according to the police contract, APD has 180 days from the date of the incident to do so.

The "180 day rule" is among several points of contention over the new, 5-year-contract between the City of Austin and the Austin Police Association. Local activists want to see that provision and others changed, allowing for more officer accountability. 

“With a police department and our police officers, who we should hold to a higher standard and that should be working every day to regain the trust of that community and build that trust and relationship,” said Chas Moore, founder of the Austin Justice Coalition.

Base salary and benefits are still unresolved. 

“It is a big give. In our opinion, we need to be compensated for that," said Ken Casaday, president of the Austin Police Association. "There's already so many things going on.” 

It doesn’t help that contract talks come during an already trying time for APD, with body cameras rolling out just this week and the change in patrolling strategy because of carbon monoxide concerns in police vehicles. 

Negotiators also agreed on improving the process for civilians to file complaints against officers. But in the summer, community members pushed for more than a half a dozen items related to civilian oversight. Among them are that activists wanted suspensions to stay on the record, have history of misconduct count against promotions and give the Austin Office of Police Monitor power to initiate investigations.

“If the Austin Police Department is going to be the highest paid in the state, they should also be the highest performing in the state," Moore said.  

But Casaday believes the department is already transparent.

“You understand why they're angry. Unfortunately, in most of these incidents someone is killed," he said. "Where I disagree, to me, it’s a false narrative. There are people that have died in the last few years, but these officers have rights like any other citizen and most of these have gone to a grand jury.”

They extended the current contract one time, but they can extend it up to five more times. Police union leaders said they're "cautiously optimistic" a contract will be ready for review by the end of the week. Once negotiations end, police union members will need to approve the proposal before the Austin City Council has a vote.