Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo leaves office for a new job

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

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

“We appreciate his service to Houston and wish him 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 employees.

“I can say that leaving will be really bittersweet,” Acevedo said in an email to the department. “We have been through a lot as an extended family; Hurricane Harvey, two World Series, a Super Bowl, Irma, the summer of protests, and most recently an ice storm of epic proportions. In addition to all this, we have sadly buried 6 of our fallen heroes. No matter the challenge, you have all risen to the occasion and honored the sacrifices of our fallen comrades with endurance and sustained excellence. ”

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Acevedo said that “I was not looking for this opportunity when it arose, but with the end of Mayor Turner’s last term in office fast approaching and my strong desire to continue serving as a police officer, we decided the timing for this move was a good one. ”

In the email, Acevedo said Deputy Chief Executives Matt Skinkard and Troy Finner “are ready and highly capable” to move the department forward.