Austin begins its search for a new police chief

AUSTIN, Texas – The city of Austin plans to announce a nationwide search for its next police chief next week to find its next law enforcement leader.

Acting Police Chief Robin Henderson says she will review the release and decide her next steps.

The planned search comes in the first week on the job for City Manager TC Broadnax, who has said he wants to hire a police chief in the first 100 days of his new role. In a new press release this week, Broadnax reiterated that hiring is a top priority.

The city will rely on Mosaic Public Partners, which will pay about $60,000, to search for candidates nationally. The job advertisement is expected to be published in the coming days. The city is working with the recruiter this week to develop a profile of the type of police chief it wants next.

Henderson, who rose through the ranks of the Austin Police Department, has served as interim chief since September, when Chief Joe Chacon resigned after about two and a half years on the job.

KVUE’s sister station WFAA reported Wednesday, citing anonymous sources, that its police chief, Eddie Garcia, is being courted by Houston and Austin for its police chief. Dallas officials told the station in a statement that it was their wish that Garcia remain in that city.

City spokeswoman Michele Gonzalez said Austin currently has no applicants for the position because it has not been advertised.

RELATED: Could Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia take on the same role in Austin or Houston? Sources say both cities are interested in Dallas’ top cop

The new boss will be tasked with filling hundreds of vacant positions. In a February social media post, Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock said police staffing levels were “at 2006 levels” and that officers were doing double duty to provide patrol coverage.

In October 2021, former Police Chief Joe Chacon announced that Austin Police would no longer respond to non-emergency calls such as vehicle thefts and minor collisions. Austin residents are instead directed to call 311 or fill out a form on the city’s website. Chacon said he made the change at the direction of the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force.

RELATED: Austin’s new city manager outlines key priorities on first day on the job

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