Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo talks first 6 months on the job

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo has been on the job for six months. So how is it going?

Chief Acevedo held a news conference Monday morning to discuss his accomplishments, challenges and goals.

He discussed a number of new initiatives that the department is working on to help make Houston safer.

One upgrade to the dispatch system the Houston Police Department is working on includes a way for residents to flag a location if someone with a disability, hearing issue, etc. lives there. Chief Acevedo hopes this will help responding officers know if they are dealing with someone who may not act the way officers might expect for the situation.

HPD is also reassessing the policy for disciplining officers to ensure that it is consistent and fair.

The department has also reached out to the Department of Justice for help assessing the homicide division to see if, and how, the department can improve.

Chief Acevedo has long touted that it is a '"new day in Houston" and he reiterated that sentiment when it comes to how the department is handling violent offenses. The HPD is now investigating all nonfatal shootings as if they were a homicide.

"Today's aggravated assault is tomorrow's murder," said Acevedo. "The key to reducing homicides is solving nonfatal shootings."

Staffing concerns and how to best use the resources the department has in the midst of budget cuts is a huge priority for Chief Acevedo.

He called on the community to take an active role in assisting police and helping keep Houston safe.