Austin taps new police chief: Lisa Davis, Cincinnati assistant police chief

Lisa Davis, an assistant chief of the Cincinnati Police Department, is likely to be the next permanent chief of the Austin Police Department after City Manager T.C. Broadnax announced Friday he had selected her for the position.

Davis' appointment requires Austin City Council approval. Mayor Kirk Watson and council members will consider it at 1 p.m. Tuesday during a special-called meeting.

The two finalists for the role were Davis and Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman. They were selected from an initial pool of 32 people.

“The Chief of Police is a critical position for any city and, as I’ve said since joining the City of Austin in early May, identifying a permanent police chief was a top priority for me,” Broadnax said in a news release. “I appreciate the invaluable feedback I’ve received, which has helped inform my decision. I have elected to move Chief Davis forward for confirmation by the City Council as she 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 and our community.”

A Cincinnati native, Davis is also a U.S. Navy veteran and started her career as a police officer with the Cincinnati Police Department in 1992. Davis worked her way up the ranks in her 30 years with the department, reaching her latest role as assistant chief and investigations bureau commander, overseeing homicide, major offenders, narcotics and personal crimes.

More: Lisa Davis, hopeful to be next Austin police chief, aims to boost recruitment, morale

Davis will be the 11th chief of the Austin Police Department and the second woman to serve in the role of permanent chief.

She will inherit a Police Department that's been struggling the past few years with both a morale and staffing crisis, as the department currently has nearly 340 vacancies of sworn officers.

She's also coming in at a time when the city and the Austin Police Association, the union that represents officers, have been without a long-term contract for more than a year. Recent rounds of bargaining indicate both sides could soon reach a tentative deal.

Additionally, voters approved sweeping changes to increase civilian oversight of police last year, but activists say the city has still not met those standards, which is at the heart of a pending lawsuit.

Davis said in the news release that she is looking forward to collaborating with officers, city leaders and the community.

"I am just humbled by this and truly look forward to the work of building strong relationships between the APD and the community and tackling hard issues together," Davis said in a statement to the American-Statesman.

Friday's news release said that Davis created a citywide problem-solving unit that reduced crime in violent locations in Cincinnati. She also started a specialized unit to address at-risk populations in the community such as the LGBTQ and Hispanic communities and human trafficking victims.

The announcement comes after a monthslong search process that advocates from across the political spectrum have criticized as being secretive and as one that should have produced a larger field of finalists.

Broadnax ultimately made his decision after several interviews with the finalists, including community panels. Davis and Norman also participated in press conferences and a public meet-and-greet event last week.

The Austin Police Department has been without a permanent chief since last September after former chief Joseph Chacon announced his retirement. Robin Henderson, who was chief of staff under Chacon, has been serving as the interim chief of police for nearly a year. Henderson said she would not apply for the permanent position.

Michael Bullock, president of the Austin Police Association, said he appreciates Broadnax’s work on this “tough search” for the next police chief. He said officers will miss Henderson, as she was well liked within the department, and that her leaving will result in a “major void.”

Officers reacted positively to the possibility of Davis becoming chief, Bullock said. Most officers hope Davis will focus on staffing, morale and infrastructure needs, he added.

Bullock said he appreciated Broadnax's work in the search for a chief and that he hopes Davis will help bring the department "into a better spot as we try to get out of our staffing crisis and a lot of the public safety issues we're having right now."

Local leaders react to Davis' appointment

Mayor Kirk Watson declined to comment, noting that he would save his statements until Tuesday’s special meeting.

Council Members Natasha Harper-Madison and Leslie Poole declined to comment Friday. Poole said she would save her statements until closer to Tuesday’s special meeting.

Council members who commented on Davis' appointment expressed hope about Davis' ability to improve public safety and transparency in the Police Department.

Council Member Vanessa Fuentes congratulated Davis in a written statement and said she is looking forward to meeting with her before finalizing the appointment to discuss Davis’ goals and vision for Austin.

“Leading our police department is no simple task, but Davis's strengths and experiences demonstrate her ability to lead with empathy, justice, and a strong sense of community,” Fuentes said in a written statement.

Council Member José Velásquez said he had spoken to Davis about how important community policing and transparency are to him.

"It is incredibly important to me that our police chief leads with integrity and is fully committed to rebuilding trust, and working collaboratively with the council and our community," Velásquez said in a written statement.

Council Member José “Chito” Vela said that although Davis comes from a smaller city and department, he believes Davis has the experience necessary to lead the Austin Police Department.

Vela said he was impressed with her work to target and reduce crime in violent hotspots, as that's something his district struggles with.

"I'm optimistic about where we're going in terms of public safety," Vela said. "I know that it's been a very tumultuous few years. But I do feel like things are falling into place and that we can move forward in a positive direction and really strengthen public safety."

Council Member Ryan Alter said in a written statement he was impressed with Davis’ “thoughtful responses” when he met her and that she has the experience to lead the Police Department.

“I look forward to working together to forge stronger partnerships between the Department and City Council and the Department and the community to make Austin a place where everyone feels safe,” he said.

Council Member Mackenzie Kelly said in a written statement that she was pleased to hear Davis was selected.

“I look forward to working alongside Ms. Davis to enhance our community’s safety and well-being,” Kelly said. “Our city is truly unique, and we deserve nothing but the best in leadership to foster growth and harmony as we navigate the challenges ahead.”

Council Member Paige Ellis said in a written statement she supports Davis in being the next chief of police for Austin.

“I represent a district that wants quick response times for 911 calls, proper investigation of sexual assault cases, and to trust that the police officer responding to our call has the training they need to keep everyone safe," Ellis said. "She has the experience and skills to lead the Austin Police Department through its next chapter."

Council Member Zohaib “Zo” Qadri congratulated Davis on her appointment and said he looks forward to working with her.

“In my conversations with her during the interview process, I stressed the importance of having a Chief (who) values transparency and accountability, who will be a good faith partner with Council and the community, and who is willing to uphold and enact the police reforms adopted by voters,” Qadri said in a written statement.

Council Member Alison Alter said that after meeting with both candidates, attending the public meet-and-greet and talking with professionals, she felt Davis was the best pick to lead the Austin Police Department.

Alter said she specifically spoke with Davis about the department's sexual assault response and police academy, both of which have been called to reform in recent years.

"I was impressed with her ability to speak about the issues with humanity and very specific, concrete things that she had done, which made me feel like she was action-oriented and evidence-based and deeply interested in working collaboratively in support of our officers and our community," Alter said.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Lisa Davis, of Cincinnati police department, tapped as next Austin chief