AUSTIN, Texas — In a long-awaited announcement, City Manager T.C. Broadnax tapped Lisa Davis to take command over the Austin Police Department (APD) as the city's next police chief.
If Davis is confirmed by Austin leaders, it will mark the second time a woman has filled that role at APD. Elizabeth Watson, who she served from 1992 to 1997, was the first.
It's a fact Kym Craven with the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) said should be the norm.
"Unfortunately, the number of women that get named chief is still really small," Craven said. "It's certainly been a slow trajectory to get women in the positions, but it is a male-dominated field and we're doing our best to change that."
Craven noted that when Watson served as chief, women made up only about 5% of the field nationwide. Currently, the number is just under 14%.
But Craven said NAWLEE is doing its part to boost that percentage.
"The more that we can highlight the great work of women in the field, let them know that there's opportunities for them to become police officers is really how we're going to change it from our perspective," Craven said.
Craven, who is familiar with Davis' work, praised her and said she has no doubts about her ability to take on the role.
"[Davis] comes into this with great credentials," Craven said "She really understands community policing and engagement, which is vitally important for our communities today. We're all about creating safe spaces, and she's prepared to do that."
APD currently has 174 women sworn in and 15 female cadets.
According to Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock, the representation lies in quality.
"We're getting to the point where within our profession, hopefully, we move to a spot where it's just it's all about the qualities of an individual. And you're seeing a deeper pool of potential leadership applicants that includes both females and males that are in that board now," Bullock said.
For almost a year, APD was under the leadership of Interim Police Chief Robin Henderson, whose leadership Bullock praised.
"We have very strong female leadership that has gotten us to where we are now. So I have no doubts that it can continue," Bullock said.
Bullock said he has already had conversations with Davis and looks forward to building a relationship with her to help address the challenges the department has been facing.