Former Austin police chief Joseph Chacon is back in the chief’s chair, this time in Taylor. Chacon was sworn in as the new head of the Taylor Police Department on Wednesday evening at the Taylor Public Library, with Judge Rhonda Redden administering the oath as community members and city officials filled the room. He officially started leading the department on Monday, March 30, and said he is eager to serve Taylor’s growing community.
City Manager Brian LaBorde tapped Chacon after a lengthy hiring process that included multiple interview rounds, two public meet-and-greet sessions, and feedback from an advisory panel of city staff, residents, and law-enforcement professionals, according to the City of Taylor. The Taylor City Council signed off on the choice at its March meeting, and Chacon went through the department’s standard pre-employment screening before officially taking the job.
Chacon’s law-enforcement background
A 31-year law-enforcement veteran, Chacon previously led the Austin Police Department from 2021 to 2023 before retiring and later moving into a role overseeing emergency services in Pflugerville. In Austin, he dealt with officer shortages and intense public scrutiny, and after leaving APD, he shifted his focus to disaster readiness and ambulance coordination, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.
Swearing-in and remarks
The swearing-in at the Taylor Public Library drew local leaders and residents, turning a routine civic moment into a bit of a small-town milestone. Chacon told officials he is “honored to join the City of Taylor” and wants to help ensure residents “remain and feel safe,” according to CBS Austin.
Why the hire matters for a growing city
The Taylor Police Department is relatively small, with roughly 33 sworn officers and 10 civilian staffers serving a community the Capitol Area Council of Governments estimates at about 18,500 residents. City officials say experience in leadership, recruitment, and community policing will be critical as Taylor continues to grow, according to the City of Taylor.
Chacon’s hiring closes a months-long search and puts an experienced chief at the helm as Taylor navigates population growth and public-safety pressures. City leaders say more information on department priorities and upcoming community meetings will roll out in the weeks ahead.
