City identifies top seven candidates to be Austin's next police chief

AUSTIN, Texas - Austin has narrowed down the list of applicants for the Chief of Police position to seven candidates. 46 people had applied to become Austin's next police chief.

Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk hopes to announce a new Chief of Police before the end of August. Interviews with the Chief of Police candidates will occur in the coming weeks, with several community input opportunities on the top finalists, according to a press release from the city.

"I am excited about the diverse slate of individuals we have identified for this position," said Cronk. "I look forward to discussing with them how we can accomplish the goals of the community and the City Council."

Earlier this year, Austin Police Chief Brian Manley retired following more than thirty years of service. Manley retired months after Austin City Council voted to cut the department's budget by roughly a third in the wake of George Floyd’s death. 

Finalists for the position are:

Joseph Chacon 

Joseph Chacon is the Interim Chief of Police with the Austin Police Department, a role he has served in for four months. Prior to his appointment, Chief Chacon served as an Assistant Chief for almost five years, overseeing Patrol, Special Operations, Specialized Patrol, Investigations, Intelligence, Professional Standards and Training/Recruiting.

Chacon has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences. He is a graduate of PERF’s Senior Management Institute for Police, Texas State University’s Certified Public Manager Program, and MCCA’s Police Executive Leadership Institute

Anne Kirkpatrick

Anne Kirkpatrick started her policing career in 1982 in the Memphis Police Department. During her 38 years in policing she has been with 8 agencies, 4 as a Chief of Police.

She has a BA in Business Administration, a Master’s in Counseling, a Law degree and she has been a licensed attorney for 30 years. Kirkpatrick is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development School, and the FBI’s National Executive Institute.

Avery L. Moore 

Assistant Chief Avery L. Moore is a 30-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department and began his career as a patrol officer in 1990, serving in various assignments, including an instructor at the Dallas Police Academy. As a Lieutenant, Assistant Chief Moore served in the Crime Scene Response Unit, Traffic, and SWAT. Later he promoted to the rank of Major, overseeing a patrol division where he implemented programs that reduced the crime rate for twelve consecutive months. In 2017, Assistant Chief Moore received his first star and was named the Deputy Chief of the newly reorganized East Patrol Bureau. In 2019, Deputy Chief Moore earned his second star, becoming Assistant Chief of Police and assuming command of Investigations and Tactical. Currently, Assistant Chief Moore commands the Investigations Bureau.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Management from the University of Phoenix – Dallas, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Cameron University, and an Associate Degree in Psychology from Cameron University.

Celeste Murphy 

Deputy Chief Celeste Murphy joined the Atlanta Police Department in 1997, and has served in every rank from Patrol Officer, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Major.  Appointed to Deputy Chief in January 2020, she manages the Community Services Division.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and a Master of Criminal Justice.  Chief Murphy is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police and Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.

Mirtha V. Ramos 

Chief Mirtha V. Ramos began her law enforcement career in 1997 with the Miami-Dade Police Department.  She served in various assignments, including uniform patrol, investigations, emergency management, community policing, and police administration.  She rose through all the civil service ranks until her appointment to Police Major and subsequently to Division Chief, managing the high liability functions of the Department. On November 4, 2019, Chief Ramos was appointed to Chief of the DeKalb County Police Department.

She holds a master’s degree in Psychology of Leadership and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. 

Gordon Ramsay 

Gordon Ramsay has been a police chief for fifteen years and is nationally recognized for his work in community policing, mental health, victim services, race relations, and reconciliation. He currently serves as chief of the Wichita Police Department.

He holds a B.A. in Criminology and Sociology, an M.A. in Management, is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, and serves on the Major City Chiefs Association Executive Board.

Emada E. Tingirides 

Emada E. Tingirides is a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Deputy Chief. In 1995, she joined the LAPD to serve the city her family called home for generations. Mayor Eric Garcetti and Chief of Police Michel Moore promoted Emada to Deputy Chief and she was named the Commanding Officer of the newly formed Community Safety Partnership Bureau (CSPB). The relationship-based public health approach policing model that defines CSPB was born to find new and innovative ways to build trust, relationships, and address quality of life issues in some of Los Angeles’ most underserved and challenging communities.

Tingirides holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and an M.A. in Criminology, Law, and Society.

46 people had applied to become Austin's next police chief. (FOX 7 Austin)

In March, a survey was released to the public asking them to identify the skills and characteristics, background and experience, and top priorities they believed were most important for the next Chief of Police. The responses to the survey helped establish the selection criteria for the position.

Cronk solicited additional feedback in April from community groups, including five online community input meetings and constituent calls from the City’s 311 service.

"Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their thoughts throughout this process through online feedback, virtual meetings, or via 311," said Cronk. "We received input that our community members want to see the next Chief have exceptional communication skills and create a dialogue with the community. They want to see the Chief be reform-minded and transparent and have a track record of fostering community involvement and accountability. The candidates selected show these characteristics in various ways."

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