"Former Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo Declines Assistant City Manager Role Amid Controversy"

Former Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo has declined an offer to become interim assistant city manager, citing concerns raised by city council members and community advocates about his previous tenure. Some council members and community advocates expressed concerns over issues such as the closure of the DNA lab, inadequate handling of sexual assault cases, untested rape kits, and the handling of protests during Acevedo's leadership. Acevedo stated that the position had become a distraction from the critical work ahead and that politics and power struggles had hindered efforts to create real positive improvements in the city and police department.