AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Department has built a new investigative team they hope will help them more quickly solve the more than 1,000 serious assault cases citywide each year.
The new eight-detective aggravated assault team will investigate such cases as well as cases involving deadly conduct and assault on a peace officer.
Such work was previously performed by regional detectives stationed throughout the city.
Officials said the new team will allow investigators to develop specialized skills in handling aggravated assault cases, similar to those who investigate homicide or sexual assault cases.
"If someone is shot, stabbed or threatened with a weapon, we can take a team approach," said Lt. Jeff Greenwalt, who supervises the new unit.
Officials said in many instances, victims of aggravated assaults were gravely injured. In a few cases, the assault investigations were turned over to homicide detectives because the victim died.
Austin has an average of 120 aggravated assault cases each month. The number of such incidents has largely held steady in recent years, with 1,208 cases last year compared to 1,086 in 2014.
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