Cedar Park names Mike Harmon as new police chief

City Manager Brenda Eivens said the city had a "deliberative and extensive search process involving candidates from across the country," but Harmon became the clear choice, according to the release.

"I am confident that Chief Harmon will continue to effectively lead the department, foster valuable community partnerships and actively engage with all of our residents,” Eivens said.

Mannix's Jan. 2020 resignation followed the Nov. 2019 exoneration of Greg Kelley after he was wrongfully convicted of aggravated sexual assault against a child in 2014. Kelley filed a lawsuit in May 2020 against the city of Cedar Park, Sean Mannix and former CPPD detective Chris Dailey. The lawsuit sought monetary damages against the city, Mannix and Dailey “for committing acts and knowing omissions.” Dailey served as the sergeant and detective assigned to the case, which ended in a wrongful conviction and exoneration. He resigned from the department last July.

The city called for an independent review of the police department in 2017. Recommendations included conducting a staffing analysis, improving supervision and providing more training for those in the criminal investigations division.