HOUSTON – Channel 2 has learned Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner may be close to naming his pick to be Houston’s top cop.
“I will tell you it continues to be a very rigorous process,” Turner said.
Channel 2 caught up with Turner, who spoke at a promotion ceremony for HPD officers.
What we do know is Tuner has a few people in mind.
One name that keeps popping up is Art Acevedo, Austin’s high-profile police chief.
When asked if Acevedo was being considered for the job, Turner said, “There are several people that are being considered. That's on the short list of mine.”
Turner would not elaborate.
The outspoken police chief of Austin faced recent internal battles with his senior command staff over how he dealt with officer use of force incidents.
While we’ve been told Acevedo hasn’t officially applied for the job, the president of the Houston Police Officer’s Union says he’d be very surprised if someone of Acevedo’s caliber wasn’t being courted by other Texas police departments.
Acting Chief Martha Montalvo and a few other members of HPD’s command staff are also being looked at for the job.
“I'm carefully evaluating everyone that has shown interest,” Turner said.