Stan Knee Will Be New Police Chief in Austin, Texas

Police Chief Stan Knee, a native of the city who first joined the force in 1969, was named Monday as the new police chief in Austin, Texas.

While the Austin City Council must still formally approve the selection, the city manager said the 49-year-old Knee has the job and will take over Oct. 6.

“I have said many times that the ultimate goal for our community is to have the best chief possible,” Austin City Manager Jesus Garza said. “I believe Stan Knee meets those qualifications.”

Knee was in Austin on Tuesday and could not be reached for comment. He was among three finalists to replace Elizabeth Watson as chief of the 1,078-officer department, an agency six times as large as the Garden Grove force.

Knee has been police chief in Garden Grove since September 1992 and is nationally recognized as an innovator in community policing and youth crime issues.

The father of four became a Garden Grove patrol officer in 1969 after an Army tour of duty in Vietnam earned him two Bronze Stars.

Knee worked his way up to the rank of captain before leaving for the chief’s job in National City from 1988 to 1992. After returning to his hometown department for the top post, he also taught at Cal State Fullerton.