The City Manager, T.C. Broadnax, has officially announced that Lisa Davis, currently an assistant chief at the Cincinnati Police Department, has been selected as the next chief of police for Austin. The City Council is set to vote for confirmation at a special meeting on August 6, but it is expected to be a formality at this point. The council members are eager to have a new, permanent leader in place to start building a stronger relationship with the police department.
If confirmed, Davis will be only the second woman to serve as Austin’s chief of police, following Robin Henderson who has been the interim chief for nearly a year. Henderson, although respected by city and police officials, did not apply for the chief position as she is reportedly ready to retire after a long career at APD.
During the selection process, Davis was chosen over Jeffrey Norman, the current chief of Milwaukee’s police department, which came as a surprise to some observers at City Hall. Despite Norman’s previous chief experience and larger city size, Davis impressed during the public interview process with clear and assured answers, while Norman’s responses were reportedly muddled and unclear.
In response to her appointment, Davis expressed her commitment to collaboration and trust as the foundation of her approach to public safety. She looks forward to building relationships with officers, city leaders, and community members to work together towards ensuring Austin is a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
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