Art Acevedo, a name that carries weight in the law enforcement community, is setting down roots once more in the Lone Star State. His latest voyage back to Texas has caught attention as Austin city officials have announced the return of the former police chief to serve as interim assistant city manager. Acevedo is no stranger to Texas, having led the Houston Police Department between 2016 and 2021 and serving as the chief of the Austin Police Department from 2007 to 2016.
The seasoned law enforcer has navigated more than his fair share of controversy over the years. During his time at the helm of the Houston Police Department, he faced intense scrutiny following a botched drug raid in 2019 that resulted in the deaths of two individuals. Moreover, Acevedo also fielded a federal lawsuit accusing him of false arrests during the George Floyd protests in 2020, reported by the Houston Chronicle. Yet through it all, he has continued to ascend in the ranks of police administration.
His new role in Austin, where he will earn $271,000, is set to begin by the end of January, as confirmed by city officials to KUT News. Acevedo's return comes at a time when the Austin Police Department grapples with several challenges, including a pressing need for new recruits and a labor contract stalemate. According to a memo from interim City Manager Jesús Garza obtained by KUT, Acevedo's oversight will include creating new recruiting strategies and improving police academy training.
Mayor Kirk Watson welcomed Acevedo, stating, "Art Acevedo brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the challenges facing APD. I'm hopeful he'll be able to provide needed support for the department and help us to strengthen the relationship between City Hall and APD as well as with the community." The appointment, however, has caught some by surprise, including Council Member Vanessa Fuentes who remarked in a tweet, "I was surprised to learn, just a few hours ago, about Art Acevedo's appointment as Interim Assistant City Manager." Fuentes, the community's commitment to robust police oversight, accountability, and transparency.
