Assistant Chief Joe Chacon Selected Interim Austin Police Chief

Austin TX

22 March, 2021

10:53 AM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — Assistant Chief Joe Chacon has been appointed to lead the city's police department in an interim status as officials launch a national search for the next police chief. City Manager Spencer Cronk announced Monday he tapped Chacon, a 22-year department veteran for the interim position. Cronk's decision bypasses the department's chief of staff, Troy Gay, the department's second-in-command who had been expected to fill the position during the search. Chacon, who has been an assistant chief for nearly five years, will face city council confirmation this week and will formally take over the department when Chief Brian Manley departs March 28. In February, Austin Police Chief Brian Manley announced he would be retiring this month capping a 30-year career. Manley served as interim chief for about 18 months before assuming the chief's reins in June 2018. "This is a critical time for our community and the Austin Police Department ...the role of Police Chief is incredibly important not just to the city organization, but to our community as a whole," Cronk told reporters in a news conference on Monday. In a Feb. 23 letter addressed to Cronk and other city officials, 20 activist groups or individuals said replacing Manley with a reform-minded interim chief would "send a strong message that we are serious about reform if we hope to get the best available applicants for a permanent chief." Cronk said the search for a new chief will begin immediately and will consist of a transparent comprehensive three-stage process. The search firm Ralph Andersen & Associates, which has helped more than 35 other cities in hiring their police chiefs across the country since 2016, will be assisting Austin in its search. Officials said the first phase will involve conducting initial meetings with the search firm and city management to create a draft candidate profile. The city will also host virtual open community meetings throughout April and will include an online survey that ask residents what traits and priorities they would like to see in the next chief. The second phase, which will begin in May, will focus on outreach, recruiting, evaluate candidates, conduct preliminary research and make recommendations. There will also be a community survey to accept input from the Austin community. The third phase, which will take place between July and August, will initiate the finalist stage. Finalists will be determined and community meetings will be held before a selection of a candidate. Cronk said he hopes to have a decision made by August. "I hope through this process that we collectively find the ideal candidate– one who collaborates with our community, instills trust in the workforce, works to achieve results from established council policy, creates a culture of improvement and accountability, and is willing and able to lead the department in ways that lead to equitable public safety outcomes for all," Cronk said. Officials said Chacon, who joined the force in 1998, has worked in, and overseen, multiple divisions and most recently has supervised patrols of downtown Austin and special events. He also manages the department's Special Operations Division, which includes SWAT and air patrol. City Council will vote to confirm Chacon's appointment on Thursday. Read the Austin American-Statesman