Dozens of candidates apply to become Austin’s next police chief (2024)

by: Kate Winkle, Christopher Adams

Posted: Jun 18, 2024 / 12:12 PM CDT

Updated: Jun 18, 2024 / 04:21 PM CDT

Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Tuesday, June 18 2024.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 30 people have applied to lead the Austin Police Department, according to a list provided to KXAN. Candidates include both a current member of APD as well as a former assistant chief, and a number of candidates from Texas.

1. Darryl Albert, FormerChiefof Police, Montgomery Police Department
2. Lindsey Alli, Columbus Police Department
3. Nicholas Augustine, Montgomery County Department of Police, Maryland
4. Paco Balderrama, Fresno Police Department
5. Deshawn Beaufort, Philadelphia Police Department
6. Blake Bennett, Buda Police Department
7. Joseph Costa, DeSoto, TX Police Department
8. Lisa Davis, Cincinnati Police Department
9. Adrian Diaz, Former Chief of Police, Seattle Police Department
10. Prurince Dice, DeLand Police Department
11. Gabriel Dobkin, Austin Police Department
12. Jason Dusterhoft, Former Austin Police Department AssistantChief
13. Anson Evans, FormerChiefof Police, Fort Valley Police Department
14. Teresa Ewins, Former Chief of Police, Lincoln Police Department
15. Alan Fear, Sterling Police Department
16. Joel Fitzgerald,Chiefof Police and Emergency Management, Regional Transportation District, Denver
17. Nicholas Fiore, New York City Police Department
18. Steve Friend, Center for Renewing America
19. Mark Grube, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana
20. Kevin Hall, Tucson Police Department
21. Andy Harvey, Former Chief of Police, Pharr Police Department
22. Steven Huron, Former San Antonio Police Department sergeant
23. Ernest Morales III, Metro Transit Police Department, Minnesota
24. Kawanski Nichols, Houston Police Department
25. Jeffrey Norman, Milwaukee Police Department
26. Geneane Orndorff, Fort Bend County Constable’s Office
27. Brian Reyes, San Antonio Police Department
28. Amanjeet Sandhu, New York City Police Department
29. Anthony Schembri, Former County Administrator and Director of Public Safety, Citrus County, Florida
30. Ryan Urrutia, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
31. Hector Villarreal, Kingsville Police Department
32. Joshua Wallace, Chicago Police Department Bureau of Counterterrorism

Austin’s city manager and Mosaic Public Partners will identify top candidates from the list, who will then be interviewed by stakeholder panels, according to a message board note on behalf of Mayor Kirk Watson. The interviews will happen at the end of July, according to a city press release. The finalists will meet with the city council and participate in a community meet and greet. Then, the city manager will recommend a final candidate and council will vote to approve them.

“I hope you join me in looking forward to the opportunity to meet with the finalists next month and having a top candidate for our consideration of confirmation relatively soon,” Watson’s message said.

Austin has previously worked with Mosaic on searches, including for former police Chief Joseph Chacon and current City Manager T.C. Broadnax, according to previous KXAN reporting.

Robin Henderson has served as interim police chief since Chacon retired last year. She said she planned to retire after the city hired a permanent chief.