AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Former Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo is returning to the City of Austin - this time, as an interim assistant city manager with oversight of the Austin Police Department.
Interim City Manager Jesus Garza made the announcement Friday, in a memo to city council members and Mayor Kirk Watson.
Earlier this week, Acevedo announced his departure from his current job, as police chief in Aurora, Colorado. His last day in Aurora is slated for Monday; he'll begin his new role in Austin later this month.
"I [believe] it is essential to have a City Management-level resource identified who is dedicated solely to APD," Garza wrote. "I sincerely believe that APD deserves to have this focused level of support and I am optimistic with these additional resources to help bolster our APD that we will continue to see success and movement on addressing any challenges."
Acevedo served as Austin's police chief from 2007-2016, before leaving to become chief of the Houston Police Department. He spent a little over four years in Houston before he became the chief of the Miami Police Department in March 2021; a role he held for a little over six months amid infighting with Miami city leaders. He's been in the top job in Aurora for a little over a year.
In his new role in Austin, he'll act as a liason between the department, interim police chief Robin Henderson, and Garza. He'll also work alongside existing interim assistant city manager Bruce Mills, who oversees the city's other public safety departments.
The move comes as APD continues to deal with staffing challenges and the lack of a long-term contract for officers. Thursday, city council members gave direction to the city manager's office to bring back an ordinance that will extend pay and benefits for officers - similar to a measure passed last year. That ordinance is expected to come back before council next month.