Interim Police Chief Art Acevedo to leave Aurora Police Department in Colorado
After a little more than a year with the Aurora Police Department, interim Police Chief Art Acevedo will leave Colorado. Acevedo was named to the position on Dec. 5, 2022 and his last day will be Jan. 22, 2024.
Acevedo will leave Colorado and return to Texas to be with his family.
"We had been talking about for weeks about, 'Hey we need you to lose the interim title' and I knew in my heart, every time I'd get a video of my son wrestling and I'm not there... I can't be without my boy and I can't move him right now so I've got to get home to him because I want to be judged as a father," said Acevedo during a news conference on Tuesday afternoon.
"This was a difficult decision to make," said Acevedo in a statement. "I am grateful for the unwavering dedication of the exceptional men and women of the Aurora Police Department. Serving as Chief of Police alongside the current leadership team has been an honor. Together, we have achieved significant progress in this remarkable, diverse and welcoming community. I carry with me immense pride in the positive impact we have had. Aurora will forever remain a part of me."
Last week, Acevedo talked to CBS News Colorado about the reduction in crime in the City of Aurora, something he credits to his officers. He said violent crime was down nearly 15% year to date and property crimes were down 12%.
"Since day one, Chief Acevedo has carried out this role with the vision, purpose and conviction of a permanent chief," said Aurora City Manager Jason Batchelor in a statement. "He brought passion and unparalleled experience and knowledge to his work every day. I am confident in the direction he has set for the agency and its leadership."
The Aurora Police Department has experienced controversies over the past few years. Most recently three police officers were charged, one convicted, in the death of Elijah McClain. The city has also struggled with finding a police chief. Aceveda was named interim police chief after two candidate finalists withdrew from consideration.
Before Acevedo took over as interim chief, Interim Chief Dan Oates had returned to his previous role after the firing of Aurora Police Chief Vanessa Wilson in April 2022. Wilson announced plans to file a lawsuit against the city claiming her firing was a political move. Oates ran the Aurora Police Department from 2005 through 2014 before he retired.
Interim Deputy Chief Heather Morris will be appointed as Aurora Police Department's Interim Chief of Police on Jan. 22.
