City Council unanimously confirmed Lisa Davis' appointment as the Austin Police Department's next chief Aug. 6.

The overview

Council's vote came days after City Manager T.C. Broadnax chose Davis for the chief position following a nationwide search. City officials and community members also met with Davis and fellow finalist Jeffery B. Norman this summer.

Davis will officially succeed interim Police Chief Robin Henderson after the Labor Day holiday in September.

Davis, currently Cincinnati's assistant police chief, will be the first APD outsider to lead the police force in years after recent leadership changes that started with former Chief Brian Manley's departure in 2021. She'll also be the second woman to serve as APD's permanent chief.

Davis was hired on a $275,000 salary. That's an increase from Henderson's interim pay of $197,246 and over 12% more than Austin's last permanent chief, Joseph Chacon, was earning before his retirement.

Zooming in

Broadnax said he picked Davis given "resoundingly positive" feedback he received from city officials and community members, and his view of her track record building community relationships and using evidence-based policing practices.

“There is no doubt that Chief Davis has a stellar record in her extensive career in law enforcement, and I am confident that she will earn the trust and confidence of our Austin police officers, of all of you, as well as the community," Broadnax told council members.

Henderson also complimented Davis and advised her to focus on meeting Austin's "unique" community while responding to growth and staffing challenges.

Davis said she was humbled and excited at the opportunity to take the reigns at APD after years of work in Cincinnati. She also said her approach will be grounded in effective, equitable and ethical policing strategies.

Once in the chief role, she said meeting with Austin officers and listening to their perspectives, demonstrating the value of the local police force, and addressing APD's staffing shortfalls—including the recruitment of more women under APD's commitment to the 30x30 hiring initiative—will be among her top priorities.

“I will listen to you, I will meet you where you are, and I will be visible," she told officers. "I am confident once we do that, we improve that morale, you’re going to see that recruitment and retention will improve."

Quote of note

In a statement after council's vote, Mayor Kirk Watson said he appreciated Broadnax's prioritization of the police chief search and Davis' selection.

"Chief Davis brings a wealth of public safety experience that will positively impact the overall function of APD. ... My hope for the relatively immediate future is a long-term contract between the city and Austin Police Association so that we can provide the needed support for Chief Davis to recruit and retain quality officers to set her up for success during her leadership," Watson said.