Joseph Chacon Named Austin's New Police Chief

Austin TX

22 September, 2021

9:45 AM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — After a months-long search for a new police chief, the city of Austin plans to appoint Interim Police Chief Joseph Chacon for the position. Chacon, who has served with the police department for 20 years, is expected to be appointed by City Manager Spencer Cronk in an announcement Wednesday, according to the Austin-American Statesman. This is the second time Cronk has gone with an in-house candidate. Former police chief Brian Manley, who served as an interim chief, was also selected by Cronk to lead the police department in 2018. Live in Austin? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone. Cronk's office narrowed the candidate list to seven in July, and was down to three finalists: Chacon, Dallas assistant chief Avery Moore and Los Angeles deputy chief Emada Tingirides. The city manager brought all three finalists to engage with residents in community forums last month. In total, about 46 people applied for the police chief job after Manley stepped down in March. Chacon's hire still requires approval by a majority of the 11-person Austin City Council, whose next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 30. If approved by the city council, Chacon will become the city's second Hispanic chief following Art Acevedo, who preceded Manley and is now police chief in Miami after his time in Houston.