Houston police chief Art Acevedo leaves the post for a new job

HOUSTON – Houston police chief Art Acevedo is leaving the department for a new job, according to the local police union.

Houston Police Union President Doug Griffith confirmed that Acevedo accepted the position to become the next chief of police in Miami.

“We appreciate his service to Houston and wish him the best in Miami,” Griffith said in a statement.

Acevedo served for more than four years as head of the HPD, leading more than 5,200 police officers and 1,000 support staff.

“I can say that going out will be really bittersweet,” said Acevedo in an email to the department. “We have been through many things as an extended family; Hurricane Harvey, two World Series, a Super Bowl, Irma, the summer of protests and, more recently, an ice storm of epic proportions. In addition to all this, unfortunately, we buried 6 of our fallen heroes. No matter the challenge, you are all up to the occasion and have honored the sacrifices of our fallen comrades with resilience and sustained excellence. ”

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Acevedo said that “I was not looking for this opportunity when it came, but with the end of Mayor Turner’s final term fast approaching and my strong desire to continue serving as a police officer, we decided that the time for this change was a good one. ”

In the email, Acevedo said that executive assistant chiefs Matt Skinkard and Troy Finner “are ready and highly capable” to move the department forward.