AUSTIN (KXAN) — After more than a year and a half as Austin Police Department’s interim chief, Brian Manley officially took on the role permanently during a swearing-in ceremony Friday afternoon.
He took the oath at a ceremony at his old high school, Eastside Memorial Early College High School — or Johnston High School when Manley attended — at 1012 Arthur Stiles Road.
Manley was interim chief since December 2016, when then-Chief Art Acevedo left for a job in Houston.
The city manager at the time, Marc Ott, appointed Manley to fill in, but then he left.
Manley had to wait until a new city manager, Spencer Cronk, was hired in December 2017. Then, Cronk held a series of community events and engagement before officially appointing Manley. The Austin City Council approved the appointment unanimously, with an 11-0 vote last week.
In a sit-down interview with KXAN this week, Manley said he looks forward to being “able to put my vision forward for the department,” including improving and building relationships in the community.