Houston Police Chief To Take Over Miami Police Department: Report

MIAMI, FL — Houston police Chief Art Acevedo will take over as chief of the Miami Police Department this spring, the Miami Herald reported.

He’ll step into the position in about six weeks to replace Chief Jorge Colina, who is retiring, reports said.

Acevedo was introduced during a press conference outside Miami City Hall Monday morning.

“We’re living in a time in our nation’s history where the American people are hurting,” he said, according to Local 10 news. “And there’s a lot of pain in this nation. And unless we take the time to feel that pain, process that pain, acknowledge that pain of communities of color that disproportionately are impacted by bad policing, we will never get beyond the summer of 2020.”

Since the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers last year, Acevedo has stepped up as a national figure pushing for police reform amidst nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism, WFAA reported. He even marched with police reform protesters following Floyd’s death.

The Republican law enforcement veteran also participated in the 2020 Democratic National Convention as part of a panel discussing race and criminal justice issues, KPRC reported.

Acevedo was also an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump.

During the protests following Floyd’s death, Trump suggested sending troops to control protestors in large cities last June. The chief has some strong words for the president at the time, ABC7 reported.

"Let me just say this to the President of the United States on behalf of the police chiefs in this country, please, if you don't have something constructive to say, keep your mouth shut," Acevedo said. "Because you're putting men and women in their early 20s at risk. It’s not about dominating, it's about winning hearts and minds."

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez tweeted about his excitement for Acevedo to join the city.

“The safety of Miamians will ALWAYS be my #1 priority and (Art Acevedo’s) history and track record as Chief of one of the largest police forces in the country matches our ambitious goals,” he tweeted.

The mayor also told the Miami Herald that hiring Acevedo “is like getting the Tom Brady or the Michael Jordan of police chiefs.”