HOUSTON – Among the dignitaries at the swearing in of Houston police Chief Art Acevedo, the new chief spotted a familiar race.
Ezenachi Rasidi and the chief met not long ago during a chance meeting, when Rasidi got lost near the chief’s home in Austin.
"I walk over to this truck. Window comes down. Says, 'Can I help you?'” said Rasidi.
He said, at the time, he had no idea Acevdeo was the chief in Austin.
He said they talked about policing, but the subject of Houston never came up. Rasidi just happened to be at City Hall Wednesday and ran into Acevedo who not only helped, but game him a ride.
Rasidi said, "Gives me directions on where I'm trying to go. However I'm on foot. And it's raining outside. So he tells me to get in the truck."
Acevedo said he will not approach his new job with a sledge hammer.
Instead, he said he will fine tune the department and move it forward making changes along the way.
Acevedo said, "The next days, weeks and months you are going to see a police chief who is very visible. My family knows it's not for the faint of heart. We're going to be working tirelessly because the biggest cheerleader is the police chief."
Acevedo is not the only new face.
Houston also has a new fire chief. Chief Sam Pena is from the El Paso Fire Department. While he has been confirmed, he will start working with the city later in December.
His swearing in ceremony will be held at that time.
Check out new @houstonpolice chief @ArtAcevedo in his new uniform! pic.twitter.com/t2yRAzo66k
— Gil Gredinger (@photog72) November 30, 2016