AUSTIN, Texas — In a move that was described by Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk as retirement, it was announced Friday morning that Austin Police Department Chief Brian Manley is stepping away from the department.

What You Need To Know

  • APD Chief Brian Manley to step down effective March 28, city manager said 

  • Has been with the department in various positions for 30 years

  • Coordinated effort to locate Austin bomber in 2018

  • National search for new chief to begin immediately 

Manley, an Austin native who has been with the department in various capacities for 30 years, will step down effective March 28, a release states.

The announcement comes as police departments across the nation are under increased scrutiny following the 2020 in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and following a move by the Austin City Council to reallocate a portion of APD’s budget toward other programs such as social services and housing for people experiencing homelessness. There was no immediate indication, however, that any of that factored into Manley’s decision.

A press conference was scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday.

Manley started with the department as a patrol officer in 1991. He rose through the ranks, serving as a detective and sergeant in the Child Abuse Unit before being promoted to lieutenant in the Traffic Enforcement Division in 2001.

In 2005, Manley was promoted to commander, overseeing units including Internal Affairs, Special Operations, and Recruiting and Training. He was promoted to assistant chief in 2012 and in 2016 became interim police chief. He officially got the chief of police job in 2018.

It was also in 2018 when Manley became the public face of the Austin Police Department for the country while overseeing efforts to locate the person responsible for a series of bombings that killed two people and injured five more.

Manley was lauded for his efforts and leadership but there was some criticism concerning his initial hesitancy to identify the bomber as a terrorist.

“I want to thank Chief Manley for his leadership and service to the City of Austin. He has been a dedicated public servant to this community for three decades and has proudly led the men and women of our police department during incredibly challenging times,” Cronk wrote.

Cronk said he will immediately begin a national search for Manley’s replacement. An interim police chief will be named early in March.