Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner named next HPD Chief of Police

City of Houston has a new ‘top cop’

FOX 26's Tiffany Justice explains who the new candidate is and when he'll officially become the new chief of police.

HOUSTON - Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has announced Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner will be Houston's next top cop.

Turner said during the announcement, Troy Finner is not just Houston, he is Houston. He was born in Houston's Fifth Ward, aka The Nickel, raise in Hiram Clarke, and graduated from Madison High School."

RAW: Troy Finner named new HPD Police Chief

Watch the full news conference where Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner was named the new Houston Police Department Chief of Police.

Finner earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State and a Master of Criminal Justice from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

(Houston Mayor's Office)

Turner added, "Most importantly, Troy Finner earned is stripes in the Houston Police Department over 31 years and is prepared to lead from day one."

The announcement came Thursday after Art Acevedo announced his resignation as he's heading to Miami to become the chief there.

"We are happy the mayor chose to go in-house with this pick for chief," said Doug Griffith, President of the Houston Police Officers’ Union.

Griffith spoke to FOX 26 after the announcement saying he believes Finner is a great choice. But it will need to take more than just a police chief to change the sad number of homicides in Houston.

"I’m confident he will be reaching out to the DA and to these judges to say we have to work together to solve this problem," said Griffith.

Turner also announced on Thusday that the department’s leadership will also be modified.

The second candidate for police chief, Matt Slinkard, was also promoted as first ever Executive Chief.

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Outgoing Police Chief Art Acevedo has high hopes for the new leadership.

"I think what you’re going to see they’re going to continue to head the department in the right direction," said Acevedo. "They’re going to leave it better than I left it and that is something I'm very proud of."

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg also applauded the announcement in a release shortly after the announcement.
"I applaud the choice of Troy Finner to lead the Houston Police Department. I’ve known Chief Finner since 1994. Back then we worked together to develop innovative and effective ways to combat crime in the Gulfton area. I have full confidence that we can combat crime and treat the community fairly in the future on a citywide basis. He is well liked and well respected and can bring a sense of unity and public safety to the community."