APD Administration

Chief of Police Art Acevedo

Art Acevedo is Chief of the Austin, Texas, Police Department, also known as APD. He leads a department of 2,300 sworn law enforcement and support personnel who carry out police operations within the City of Austin, as well as the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, city parks and lakes, and municipal courts. With an annual budget of $283 million, APD serves Austin’s diversified population in the 13th largest city in the United States. Under Chief Acevedo’s leadership, the APD has been reengineered into a data driven and intelligence led policing organization.

Because Chief Acevedo believes in the uppermost importance of good communication for a successful community, he has steadily worked to strengthen the bond between the people of Austin and their police department. He has forged partnerships with elected officials, diverse community organizations, youth groups, district attorney, the defense bar, and the media. As police chief, Acevedo also works to build sound relationships within the department. APD has reduced departmental expenditures by approximately $15 million, while maintaining service to the city, reducing crime, and keeping Austin—the fastest growing city in the nation—one of its safest.

The first Hispanic to lead the Austin Police Department, Acevedo brings a unique understanding to the concerns of the diverse Austin community of African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asians and Anglos. Born in Cuba, Acevedo was 4 years old when he migrated to the United States with his family in 1968. He grew up in California and earned his Bachelor of Science degree, with honors, in Public Administration from the University of La Verne in California. Acevedo began his career in law enforcement as field patrol officer in East Los Angeles with the California Highway Patrol in 1986. He was subsequently promoted through various positions of increasing responsibility to Chief, California Highway Patrol, in 2005. He holds various leadership positions with the Major Cities Chiefs Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police and has been with the Austin Police Department since July 2007. He is married to Tanya Born Acevedo and is the father of Melissa, Matthew, and Jake.