Farah Muscadin, the director of the Office of Police Oversight in Austin, will resign following her family leave. Her resignation will go into effect on October 3.
City Manager Spencer Cronk told city staff that Muscadin gave birth to a baby boy in January and has since made the decision to focus on her family.
She initially served as the Interim Police Monitor and helped move the City and police union negotiators toward a final contract, according to the memo. She then served as permanent Director and changed the City’s police monitoring efforts into police oversight.
Earlier this month, the Austin City Council voted to approve the Austin Police Oversight Act on the May ballot.
The ordinance stems from the local Black Lives Matter protests that took place in 2020. Supporters say the local ordinance will strengthen the oversight of Austin Police and encourage accountability for officer misconduct and brutality.
Sylvia Hardman will serve as the Acting Director while the city searches for a new director.