Former Montgomery Police Chief seeks Austin, Texas Police Chief position

Posted: June 20, 2024, 1:13 a.m. CDT

from
Estee Morrison, WAKA Action 8 News

According to the City of Austin, former Montgomery Police Chief Darryl Albert has applied to become the next chief of the Austin Police Department. Albert is one of 32 applicants for the position.

According to ABC affiliate KVUE, the city is looking for a candidate with at least a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, government, business or a related field. The candidate must also have at least 10 years of “responsible service in police administration,” including at least five years as an “honest law enforcement officer.”

The job posting states that the most competitive candidates will have direct experience as a police chief in a large city with “similar complex issues as Austin.” They should also be able to build relationships with Austin’s many diverse communities and should have “a solid understanding of the history of institutional racism in policing” and be committed to equitable delivery of public safety services while advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion, including within the APD.

Albert resigned from his position with the Montgomery Police Department on April 18, after being placed on leave by Mayor Steven Reed on April 8. Mayor Steven Reed’s press conference announcing Albert’s resignation can be viewed here.

Reed said there were several issues, including sexual harassment and department morale, that led to Albert being placed on paid leave. He declined to elaborate.

Reed said when Albert submitted his resignation, they both agreed the department needed a new voice and new direction. Albert became Montgomery’s police chief in 2022.