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Austin still lacks its next police chief.
City Manager T.C. Broadnax was expected to announce his decision today, but has yet to comment on when we can expect it.
Published July 26, 2024 at 2:03pm by Skye Seipp
Austin's Next Police Chief Decision Delayed, Says City Manager T.C. Broadnax
City Manager T.C. Broadnax has delayed deciding between the two finalists for Austin's next police chief, opting to take additional time to consider the candidates, according to a statement from his office on Friday. [https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2022/08/19/austin-police-chief-finalist-announcement-delayed/10179957002/]
"This position is too critical to our Police Department, the City organization as a whole, and this community to rush," Broadnax said. "Therefore, I’m going to take additional time to consider our two very qualified candidates before making a final decision."
Broadnax was expected to announce the sole finalist on Friday, with the City Council confirmation possibly taking place on Tuesday during a special meeting. However, no timeline has been given for the decision, and the city manager wishes to reflect on the feedback received from the public, stakeholders, and City Council members. [https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2022/08/19/austin-police-chief-finalist-announcement-delayed/10179957002/]
The delay is also due to the candidates not meeting with all City Council members and the ongoing work on the city budget. [https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2022/08/19/austin-police-chief-finalist-announcement-delayed/10179957002/]
The announcement comes after a lengthy search process that has been criticized for its secrecy and narrow field of finalists. Only two of the 32 applicants were selected as finalists: Lisa Davis of the Cincinnati Police Department and Jeffrey Norman, chief of the Milwaukee Police Department. [https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2022/08/07/austin-police-chief-search-2-finalists/10136174002/]
The city hired Mosaic Public Partners for the executive search, paying them $60,000. [https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2022/08/19/austin-police-chief-finalist-announcement-delayed/10179957002/]
With the delay, it is uncertain when Austin will have a permanent police chief, as the position has been vacant since Joe Chacon's retirement in September 2021. [https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2022/08/19/austin-police-chief-finalist-announcement-delayed/10179957002/]
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Read more: City Manager Broadnax still considering finalist to choose as Austin's next police chief