Former Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo will not be stepping into the newly created role of assistant city manager overseeing the police department, per statements released on social media. This announcement follows a week of intense scrutiny over his appointment.
Informing Interim City Manager Jesús Garza on Tuesday, Acevedo decided to walk away from the $271,000-per-year position aimed at navigating the APD through staffing challenges and a wave of reform, ignited by massive protests in May 2020. He will not accept the headlining role, having notified Garza before adding on a social media post, "It is clear that this newly created position has become a distraction," KVUE reports. Acevedo's reiteration of his enduring support for APD was accompanied by his readiness to "be a resource" in supporting the department's work and well-being.
The position, intended to serve as a bridge between APD and the city manager's office, was now left unfilled as Acevedo, choosing to turn the page, stated he would instead "pursue other opportunities" and reunite with his family. His appointment had faced criticism from council members and local leaders who were wary of the wisdom behind hiring the former chief, known for a career peppered with controversy and high-profile departures from police departments in Houston and Miami, according to KXAN.
During Acevedo's previous tenure as APD chief, he gained notoriety for his public persona while also facing backlash for contentious incidents, such as the shooting of David Joseph, which led to his reprimand. Despite these controversies, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and other city council members had initially backed the creation of the assistant city manager role. Acevedo, once popular for marching in parades and rallies, ultimately concluded that lingering political strife would hinder "real positive improvements for the people of the city," as he noted on X. As Austin grapples with this about-turn, Acevedo's departure marks yet another turn in a storied and tumultuous career marking, leaving the city to chart its course amidst ongoing police reform and staffing challenges.
