Austin Police Department's leadership has transitioned this week, as veteran law enforcement officer Lisa Davis assumed the role of Austin's new chief of police. According to KXAN, Chief Lisa Davis has moved from Cincinnati, where she served as assistant chief, to take the helm in Austin after a unanimous approval by the Austin City Council. Davis is the second woman to hold the position permanently.

The intricacies of the transition were detailed in a memo in which Davis lauds interim Chief Robin Henderson for her instrumental leadership. "Chief Henderson’s leadership, experience, and deep knowledge of our department will be invaluable during this important time," Davis stated, as per KXAN. 

Henderson will revert to her prior chief of staff position to support Davis and plans to retire later this year. Furthermore, as reported by KVUE, Assistant Chief Jeff Greenwalt, who filled in as chief of staff during Henderson’s interim term, will continue as assistant chief.

Chief Davis expressed her strategic vision to the council earlier in August, emphasizing a commitment to equitability and ethics. "Anything I implement, any strategy that is implemented, will be done through the lens that it has to be effective," Davis told the council, as noted by KVUE. Her focus during the initial 100 days is reported to be on listening, learning, and addressing the challenges of staffing and recruitment.