Lisa Davis, Cincinnati Assistant Chief, Selected as Austin’s Next Police Chief

Lisa Davis fielding questions from the public (Photo by Katherine Irwin)

City Manager T.C. Broadnax has made his decision: Lisa Davis will be Austin’s next chief of police.

Broadnax announced today, Aug. 2, that Davis, an assistant chief at the Cincinnati Police Department, was his choice to be the Austin Police Department’s next leader. She’ll assume that job pending a vote by City Council, set for a special-called meeting Aug. 6, but that’s just a formality at this point. Council members are eager to have the chief role filled by a new, permanent leader so that they can begin working toward building a stronger, more cooperative relationship with the department.

If confirmed, Davis will become just the second woman to serve as Austin’s chief of police. Robin Henderson has served as the department’s interim chief for nearly one year. Her leadership has been respected by city and police officials, but Henderson did not apply for the chief job. Sources say she has been ready to retire after a long career at APD.

“I appreciate the invaluable feedback I’ve received,” Broadnax said in the news release announcing Davis’ appointment, “which has helped inform my decision. I have elected to move Chief Davis forward for confirmation … and I am confident that she will earn the trust and confidence of our Austin Police officers and our community.”

Davis’ selection over Jeffrey Norman, the current chief of Milwaukee’s police department, was somewhat surprising to some City Hall observers. Going into the candidate interview process, which unfolded over the past two weeks, Norman was believed to be the favorite. Primarily, because his résumé seemed like a better match for Austin – Milwaukee has about half as many residents as Austin, but is still much bigger than Cincinnati, and Norman had actual chief experience.

But during the public interview process, Davis performed beyond expectations while Norman underperformed, sources say. Norman’s responses to questions could be muddled and difficult to follow, whereas Davis’ answers sounded more assured and clear. If, or how, that will translate to successful leadership of APD, which employs about 400 more officers than Cincinnati’s force, remains to be seen.

For her part, Davis said of her appointment, “Collaboration and trust are the foundation of my approach to public safety. I am honored to be selected as Austin’s Chief of Police and I can’t wait to begin building relationships with our officers, city leaders, and community members so we can work together to ensure Austin is a safe and welcoming place for everyone.”