Chief Brian Manley officially sworn in as head of Austin Police Department

AUSTIN, Texas - After 19 months of serving as interim police chief for the Austin Police Department, Brian Manley is officially the chief.

During Manley’s time he's navigated the department through the collapse of its crime lab-- and the breakdown in contract negotiations.

And more recently, he was at the forefront of tracking down the person responsible for the Austin bombings. Which is what Mayor Steve Adler highlighted while giving his remarks.

"They say good things to those who wait,” Mayor Adler joked while the audience laughed.

Manley has been with APD for about 30 years. After Art Acevedo left to become Houston PD’s chief, Manley served as interim chief for about 2 years.

Acevedo says, "I got to see Brian as a young commander in 2007. When I first got here he was in internal affairs and I got to watch his progression and see how he grew as a leader and he's turned out to be a really good leader and I'm really proud of him."

APD says Manley is the first homegrown chief in 40 years to lead Austin’s 2,000 member police force.

"Circle back from 1986 to today to be getting sworn in as the police chief of the department that I've spent time with on the grounds of the school where I got that initial interest in this profession it's a pretty special place to be today."

Chief Manley’s family was front row center. He fought back tears as he commended his wife and kids for being patient and understanding while he missed important family events because of the job. He also talked about his late father and how he knows he'd be very proud of him today.

Manley says his first month as chief will be spent meeting with every single the member of APD both commissioned and civilian, where they'll talk about the vision of the department. As well as plans for better policing in the community.