"Excessive force and assault charges dropped against 17 Austin police officers in 2020 protests"

The Travis County district attorney has dropped criminal charges against the majority of Austin police officers accused of excessive force during the May 2020 protests. Instead, the district attorney's office and the city of Austin have requested an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division into the police response. Of the 21 officers initially charged, 17 have been cleared, while four will still be prosecuted. The decision aims to allow officers to return to their duties and promote transparency and trust in the community.