AUSTIN, Texas – The Austin Police Department has a new weapon in the fight against violent crime.

  • New Aggravated Assault Team at APD
  • Specialized team of 8 detectives
  • 1,296 aggravated assaults in Austin in 2018

APD’s Aggravated Assault Team began at the start of the year, but it now operates under the homicide division as of last month.

Austin Police Department detectives investigate an estimated 100 aggravated assault cases each month. In 2018, officers responded to 1,296 aggravated assaults.

"An aggravated assault is more of a reactive investigation because there is not a serial, where you can proactively and find somebody that is committing aggravated assaults," said Commander Pat Connor.

Before it was created, a regional detective would be challenged with taking the aggravated assault cases on, which often pile up.

"They have a large quantity of different offenses that they investigate, whether it's from theft to criminal mischief to aggravated assault," Connor said.

The specialized team of eight detectives and a sergeant now have a more condensed case load. They only work on cases involving aggravated assaults, deadly conduct, and assaults on police officers.

"A large portion of our aggravated assaults could have very well been a homicide. Based upon quick response times from EMS, officers providing first aid on scene and our trauma center here, they are the ones to give the credit to why our homicide rate is lower," Connor said.

Since the team is new, it will take some time to see the direct impact.

"We need to make sure that the best investigative product is put together, so that the individual that committed that assault is prosecuted," said Connor.