Art Acevedo, Houston police chief, leaves the post to take up a new job

HOUSTON – Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo is leaving the department to take up a new job, according to the local police union.

Union President of the Houston Police Office, Doug Griffith, confirmed that Acevedo has accepted the position to become Miami’s next police chief.

“We appreciate your service in Houston and wish you all the best in Miami,” Griffith said in a statement.

Acevedo served for more than four years as head of HPD, leading more than 5,200 police officers and 1,000 support personnel.

“I can say that leaving will be really bittersweet,” Acevedo said in an email to the department. “We have been through an extended family; Hurricane Harvey, two world series, a Super Bowl, Irma, the summer of protests and, more recently, an epic-sized ice storm. On top of all that, we sadly buried 6 of our fallen heroes. Regardless of the challenge, you have all lived up to it and honored the sacrifices of our fallen comrades with sustained resilience and excellence. ”

Announcements

Acevedo said that “I was not looking for this opportunity when it arose, but with the end of Mayor Turner’s final term, which was fast approaching and my strong desire to continue acting as a police officer, we decided that the time for this movement it was good “. ”

In the email, Acevedo said executive assistants Matt Skinkard and Troy Finner “are prepared and very capable” of moving the department forward.