Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis speaks about Austin’s use of force police during a interview at the Austin Police Department Headquarters in Austin, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Austin Police Officer Joseph Spees was fired on Dec. 3 after internal investigations concluded the veteran cop used excessive and unreasonable force against an intoxicated woman during a Dec. 7, 2024, arrest outside the Austin Marriott Downtown, according to a police memo released Thursday.
“Any objectively reasonable officer — and especially an experienced and well-trained officer like Officer Spees — should have been able to handle minimal resistance without immediately resorting to a violent takedown that caused considerable injury,” Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis wrote in the memo. “I would be doing a disservice to the community members of Austin if I retained Officer Spees for a multitude of individual General Order
violations.”
Article continues below this ad
Spees could not immediately be reached for comment.
The memo describes how Spees, who had worked for the Police Department for 11 years, responded shortly after 3 a.m. to a disturbance call involving a barefoot, intoxicated woman arguing with hotel staff. Spees, working a downtown overtime assignment, activated his body-worn camera before approaching the woman, who appeared to be in her mid-20s to early 30s and slurring her words.
Spees ordered the woman to turn and place her hands behind her back. After she complied, he handcuffed her and began to escort her toward his patrol vehicle. Video evidence showed the woman walking steadily before she stopped abruptly, bent down and appeared to reach toward something on the ground.
Without warning, Spees performed a forceful takedown, pulling her in a circular motion that spun her body and caused her head to hit the pavement with an audible thud, the memo states. Despite hearing her moan, Spees called in a level three resistance report but then continued escorting her toward his patrol vehicle.
Article continues below this ad
As Spees adjusted her handcuffs, the woman slipped her right hand out of the new set. According to video, Spees responded by securing both her arms and forcefully shoving her headfirst into the back seat of the patrol car, causing another loud impact. A pool of blood was visible on the seat where her head came to rest, and the woman can be heard crying out in pain.
Emergency medical personnel transported the woman to Dell Seton Medical Center, where she was treated for her injuries and ultimately charged with a Class C misdemeanor for public intoxication.
The memo notes several sustained violations of Austin Police Department general orders, including failure to de-escalate, unreasonable response to resistance, inaccurate and misleading report writing, dishonesty and acts bringing discredit upon the department. Internal Affairs investigators found that Spees’ written report omitted or distorted critical facts, including his knowing release of the woman before she hit the ground and his forceful shove into the patrol vehicle — details shown on body-worn and hotel surveillance video that were not accurately described in his report.
In interviews with Internal Affairs, Spees described the woman’s resistance as a “level 8” threat, a characterization the chief said was not supported by the evidence given that she was handcuffed with minimal ability to harm him or others.
Article continues below this ad
Spees has previously received commendations and no official discipline, though the memo notes he faced at least two prior complaints alleging excessive force and mistreatment during arrests, including one involving a Sixth Street musician in 2023 and another in 2024 where a woman reported being injured during booking. The 2023 complainant sued Spees and the Police Department over the incident; the suit is currently stayed but remains active.
Davis rejected Spees’ claim that the woman posed a high threat, emphasizing that she was barefoot, handcuffed and suspected only of public intoxication.
While prosecutors declined to file criminal charges, Davis concluded that Spees’ conduct brought significant discredit to the department, demonstrated a lack of accountability and judgment, and warranted an indefinite suspension. Officers may appeal such discipline under civil service rules.
Article continues below this ad
“I have no reason to confidently trust his words for a multitude of reasons,” Davis wrote. “The way officer Spees reacted to the intoxicated suspect in this case does not reflect an acceptable response from an 11-year veteran APO officer.”
Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock did not immediately respond to a call requesting comment.