UPDATE [3/22/18]: City Manager Spencer Cronk released the following statement:

AUSTIN, Texas – Austin City Council Member Delia Garza is calling for the permanent appointment of Interim Police Chief Brian Manley to lead the Austin Police Department.

Garza posted on City of Austin Council message board Wednesday morning, writing, in part:

Our community has been through what is arguably the biggest public safety crisis we have experienced together as a community. While many watched the news safely from home, but on edge, the men and women of law enforcement ran to the bombs and explosions. I ask, in light of recent events, that we as a council put our full support behind [the following] (sic) measure(sic):

1. Approve the appointment of Interim Chief Brian Manley as our permanent Chief (if/when the City Manager seeks this approval)

There was also a lot of support on social media by members of the community and former Austin police chief Art Acevedo:

Manley was named the interim chief of police in November 2016 after Art Acevedo left the department and was named Houston Police Department chief.