Report Bias Incidents & Hate Speech - Austin Police

Civil Rights and Equity Texas 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 06, 2026 Flag of Texas

In Austin, Texas, residents can report bias incidents or hate speech to law enforcement and to city civil-rights officials to seek investigation and remedies. This guide explains how to file a police report, how the City of Austin handles civil-rights complaints, what to expect from enforcement, and practical steps to preserve evidence and follow up.

When to report and what to expect

Report immediately if someone is in danger or a crime is occurring by calling 911. For non-emergencies, contact the Austin Police Department to file a report and provide all available evidence, including photos, messages, witnesses, and timestamps. The City of Austin also accepts civil-rights complaints for discrimination or bias in city programs and services; these complaints are handled by the city civil-rights office and may trigger administrative reviews or referrals to police.Austin Police Department[1] City of Austin Civil Rights[2]

If the incident threatens safety, call 911 immediately.

How to report

  • Call 911 for emergencies and the APD non-emergency number for immediate police response.
  • File a police report online or in person with the Austin Police Department; follow the APD instructions for hate/bias incidents.
  • Preserve evidence: save texts, photos, video, social-media posts and note times and witness names.
  • File a civil-rights complaint with the City of Austin Civil Rights office if the incident involves city services, employment, housing, or public accommodations.
Keep a written record of dates, times, and people you reported the incident to.

Penalties & Enforcement

Austin municipal sources route criminal reports to the Austin Police Department while administrative or civil-rights matters go to the City of Austin civil-rights office. Municipal pages and department guidance describe the reporting pathways but do not list specific municipal fines or penalties for "hate speech" because criminal penalties are generally set by Texas state law and prosecuted by law enforcement and prosecutors. Current details on penalties are not specified on the cited pages; see the listed official sources for case handling and referrals. Current as of February 2026.

  • Enforcer: Austin Police Department for criminal allegations; City of Austin Civil Rights office for complaints about city services.
  • Fines and monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation (first/repeat/continuing offences): not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: criminal charges, administrative orders, referrals to prosecutors, or civil remedies may apply depending on the investigation.
  • Inspection/complaint pathways: file with APD or the City Civil Rights office using the department pages linked above.Austin Police Department[1]
Municipal pages describe reporting and referral processes but often defer to state criminal statutes for penalties.

Applications & Forms

The city publishes online reporting options and intake forms on department pages; specific form numbers or fees for filing a hate/bias complaint are not listed on the cited pages. For a criminal report use APD reporting channels; for administrative civil-rights complaints use the City Civil Rights intake form if available on the civil-rights page.

Action steps

  • Immediate danger: call 911.
  • File a police report with APD and obtain the report number.
  • File a civil-rights complaint with the City of Austin if the matter involves city services or discrimination.
  • Follow up with investigators and keep copies of all submissions and evidence.

FAQ

How do I report hate speech or a bias incident?
Call 911 for emergencies; for non-emergencies file a report with the Austin Police Department and consider filing a civil-rights complaint with the City of Austin if city services are implicated.
Will the city prosecute someone for hate speech?
Municipal pages route criminal matters to APD and prosecutors; specific prosecutorial outcomes depend on state law and are not specified on the cited city pages.
Where can I find the civil-rights complaint form?
Check the City of Austin Civil Rights department webpage for intake instructions and any downloadable forms.

How-To

  1. Determine immediate safety needs and call 911 if the incident is violent or ongoing.
  2. Collect and preserve evidence: screenshots, messages, photos, witness names, and timestamps.
  3. File a police report with the Austin Police Department via its reporting page or non-emergency line and get a report number.Austin Police Department[1]
  4. File a civil-rights complaint with the City of Austin Civil Rights office if the incident relates to city programs, employment, housing, or public accommodations.City of Austin Civil Rights[2]
  5. Follow up with investigators, retain records, and consult an attorney if you seek civil remedies.

Key Takeaways

  • Report emergencies to 911; preserve evidence immediately.
  • Use APD for criminal reports and the City Civil Rights office for administrative complaints.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Austin Police Department - Department page
  2. [2] City of Austin Civil Rights

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