No Dallas for Chief Acevedo

As you may have read last month, APD Chief Acevedo was one of six finalists selected for the top cop job in Dallas. Acevedo's decision to continue with the selection process, even after the City of Austin offered an increased compensation package, made it clear the only way the chief would be staying was by his own choice. And that is what happened: Acevedo announced yesterday afternoon in a press-conference that he would be staying in Austin.

City of Austin

The news was well received by city officials. In a statement, City Manager Marc Ott (who led efforts last month to keep Acevedo in town) stated, "I am pleased to hear that Art will be continuing his service here with the City of Austin . . . Our police department is better for his having served at the helm and I am confident he will continue to move the department in a positive direction."

Mayor Lee Leffingwell told the Statesman, "[Acevedo's] been a benefit to the community, he's done a lot for the police force, and I think he's done a lot of outreach to folks on all sides of the political spectrum."

There had been contention that Acevedo's decision was motivated by money, but early on the chief had said he just wanted to consider the job because of the challenges involved in working in a larger city. Ultimately Acevedo's reasons for staying in Austin are his own. It is possible Dallas, as many Austinites already believe, just does not compare to our city . . . or perhaps he heard about the sole rumored finalist for the Dallas position.

Dallas will name a new police chief by the end of the week. Thus -- for now -- the spot remains vacant, and Austin keeps our police chief.