AUSTIN, Texas — Police Chief Art Acevedo assumed his position as top cop at a time when community-police relations were poor and a federal Department of Justice review was underway. 

Many felt the department lacked transparency, something Acevedo set out to change on day one.

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Tensions between the Austin Police Department and the community were high under the control of Chief Stan Knee. The officer-involved shooting deaths of Sophia King in 2002 and Daniel Rocha and Kevin Brown in 2005 had minorities outraged. When Knee resigned his position in 2006, saying he was retiring, and a Hispanic man was picked for the job, people were hopeful.

Acevedo was sworn in on July 19, 2007. At the time, the department was being probed by the federal government for its use of force against minorities. He set out to change the face of APD, spending plenty of time with neighbors in East Austin.

"One of the things we have to do is to make sure our officers are meeting the diverse communities," said Acevedo in a 2007 interview with Spectrum News.

When the Department of Justice made more than 150 recommendations to the department in 2008, Acevedo quickly moved to implement them. When the investigation finally came to a close in 2011, he called the department vindicated.

"We're going to continue to seize every day as an opportunity to do better," said Acevedo at a 2011 press conference.

Acevedo has never shied away from the press and is quick to share information.

"When things are brought to my attention that create some questions, we're not going to hide from that," said Acevedo in another 2007 interview with Spectrum News.

That includes information regarding officer-involved shootings, which have continued under his watch to the frustration of some. There's also been controversy over how the department's DNA lab has been run. In 2010, practices at the lab were investigated by the state and given the clear, with Acevedo standing by it.


But just this past June, the lab was shut down for poor practices.

"Our team will be subjected to additional training, certification, re-certification," said Acevedo in June. 

The lab is expected to reopen in February.  While Acevedo's time as chief hasn't been perfect, people have still gravitated toward him. When he considered taking the job as Chief of Dallas Police in 2010, the community pleaded with him to stay.

"That's been really touching," Acevedo said in 2010 about the community's reaction.

After listening to residents, Acevedo decided to stay. He's remained a prominent fixture in the community and is known for always wearing his emotions on his sleeve. But soon, Austin will have no choice but to say farewell.