HOUSTON (Talk1370.com) -- Former Austin police chief Art Acevedo has accepted a job as the next police chief for the city of Miami, Florida.
Acevedo, who left Austin to become Houston's top cop in November 2016, was formally introduced at a Monday morning news conference.
"He was the first Hispanic to lead the Houston Police Department, which really helps him understand the complex issues in the Hispanic community and will help make a smooth transition to the ‘Magic City,'" Miami City Manager Arthur Noriega said.
According to WFOR-TV, Acevedo is expected to make about $300,000 - slightly more than his current Houston salary.
“We got the Michael Jordan of police chiefs,” Miami Mayor Francis Suarez told WFOR-TV's Jim DeFede regarding the hiring of Acevedo.
Acevedo, who was born in Cuba and came to the U.S. when he was four years old, grew up in California. He was hired as Austin's police chief in 2007, previously working for the California Highway Patrol, working his way up to chief in 2005.
The outgoing chief said he leaves Houston in good shape.
"They are well-positioned, they have a playbook and, not only that, they’re smarter than me," Acevedo said. "They will take a department that we’ve moved in the right direction, and they’re gonna move it forward."