Art Acevedo, the Houston, Texas police chief, who gained national prominence by supporting tighter gun sales control, marching alongside protesters after George Floyd s death has been hired to be the next City of Miami police chief.
While announcing the hiring Monday, City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said, We got who we think is the best police chief in the United States. Suarez had previously described Acevedo as the Tom Brady or Michael Jordan of police chiefs in statements to the Miami Herald.
Acevedo, 56, is expected to take over the job in four to eight weeks.
The Cuban-born Acevedo migrated to the United States as a refugee with his family when he was four years old. He was the first Hispanic to head the Houston Police Department, where he served five years and was in charge of a force of 5,400 officers, with a budget of more than $ 1 billion.
Outgoing HPD Chief’s Message to Houston: ‘Get ready for 500 murders’
Chief Acevedo twice states the city looking at another huge year for homicides
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HOUSTON, Texas – HPD Chief Art Acevedo made a grim proclamation for the City of Houston on Tuesday, “Get ready for 500 murders,” said Acevedo during an afternoon news conference at HPD headquarters.
Acevedo admitting his strategy to combat homicides in Houston is not working, resulting in another record year for killings, “Get ready for 500 murders at the rate this is going.”
When reminded by KPRC 2 Investigates Mario Diaz that the rise in homicides is happening under his watch, Acevedo said, “Ok, it’s under my watch, Mario and I’ll be gone, and bring in the best chief, bring in any chief .. but I’ve got a prediction.” Perplexed by his response, Channel 2 Investigates asked Acevedo, “But Miami says your the best Chief?” The question was the result of Miami Mayor Francis
Police Chief Jorge Colina, who has since retired, said at the time that the officer s actions were unacceptable and a violation of departmental policy. Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle directed her staff to look into the matter over concerns that the officer s actions constituted voter intimidation. Even Miami Mayor Francis Suarez weighed in, tweeting that the cop, later identified as Daniel Ubeda, was under investigation and that disciplinary measures will be taken.
I have spoken to Chief Colina and we agree that the officer’s behavior is unacceptable. This was a violation of departmental policy.
He is under investigation and disciplinary measures will be taken. Mayor Francis Suarez (@FrancisSuarez) October 20, 2020
"Don t New York my Florida" has sprung up on T-shirts and bumper stickers across the Sunshine State as residents and politicians express concern about wealthy pandemic transplants moving south.