Photo of Interim Chief Robin Henderson

Interim Chief of Police Robin Henderson

Interim Chief Robin Henderson has served with the Austin Police Department for 26 years and was appointed as Interim Chief of Police on August 31, 2023. Chief Henderson began her career with the Austin Police Department in 1997 with the 90th Cadet Class. Chief Henderson currently oversees all Austin Police Department operations which includes a workforce of approximately 2,200 Sworn and Civilian personnel serving a population of approximately 1.2 million people.

Prior to her appointment as Interim Chief, Chief Henderson served in various assignments including Chief of Staff, Assistant Chief, Executive Lieutenant, Patrol Lieutenant, Cadet & Field Training Sergeant, Internal Affairs Sergeant and Detective Investigator, Person and Property Investigations Detective, Street Response Officer, and Field Training and Patrol Officer.

Chief Henderson enjoys leading a productive, professional and progressive team. She is passionate about public service, being a servant leader, a mentor, and making a positive impact within the Department and our Austin community.

APD Executive Team

Jeff Greenwalt

Chief of Staff Jeff Greenwalt

Chief of Staff Jeff Greenwalt Bio

Chief of Staff Greenwalt started his career with the Austin Police Department in 2001, where he spent several years on patrol in the Edward Sector as well as in DTAC. He was promoted to Detective and spent over eight years investigating Sex Crimes and Homicides. Upon promotion to Sergeant, he supervised a Frank evening shift and then spent 3 years at the Austin Regional Intelligence Center. As a Lieutenant, he spent 2 years on Henry nights and another 2 years managing the Homicide and Aggravated Assault Units. He was then promoted to Commander and oversaw DTAC before moving to Investigations 2, where he continued to support the Detectives for whom he works, leading such high-profile units as Sex Crimes, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, SOAR, and others.

At various ranks and throughout his career Chief Greenwalt has taken on additional duties and projects to support the Officers and Detectives working at the Austin Police Department, including the development and implementation of the Department’s digital warrant system. Over the last 15 years he has researched and implemented numerous training programs to meet the needs of Officers and Detectives, and also served as the CAST Commander and Chairperson for the Hate Crimes Review Committee.
You can follow Chief Greenwalt on Twitter @JeffGreenwalt

Assistant Chief James Mason

Assistant Chief James Mason Bio

Assistant Chief James Mason started his career in law enforcement with the Austin Police Department in 1997, where he worked patrol in Southwest Austin for several years.  When Chief Mason was promoted to Detective, he investigated sector crimes and child abuse cases.  He also worked in the Public Information Office, reporting police stories with the media department. 

As a Sergeant, he worked in Risk Management and Internal Affairs. Upon his promotion to Lieutenant, Chief Mason served on patrol, operations, and property crimes. As a Commander, he served over North Central Austin and Special Operations patrol officers. Assistant Chief Mason was promoted to Assistant Chief on March 29, 2021.  Assistant Chief Mason currently oversees the Support Bureau, which includes: Internal Affairs, Intelligence Division, Mental Health, Police Technology Unit, Fleet Operations, and David Sector Patrol.   Being over the Mental Health unit also allows him to be an active member of the Travis County Behavioral Health Advisory Committee. 

Assistant Chief Mason holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police. 

Assistant Chief Lee Rogers 

Assistant Chief Lee Rogers

Assistant Chief Lee Rogers Bio

Assistant Chief (AC) Rogers began his career in law enforcement in 1996 working for several other agencies before proudly joining the Austin Police Department in 2001 as part of the 104th Cadet Class.  

AC Rogers worked patrol and Street Response in Charlie Sector before being promoted to detective, where he worked Missing Persons and later in the Gang Unit/Safe Streets Task Force.  As a sergeant AC Rogers supervised the Henry DR’s, David Patrol, Financial Crimes, and Internal Affairs.  As a Lieutenant, AC Rogers worked the night shift in the RTCC and Charlie Patrol before moving to the Training Academy, where he was assigned to the Learned Skills Unit.  As a commander, he had the privilege of serving in the Edward Sector, Professional Standards, and the Intelligence Division.  

AC Rogers has continually volunteered on various projects, and we’re looking forward to his positive contribution to our Leadership Team, the Department, and our Austin Community!

Photo of Assistant Chief Gizette Gaslin

Assistant Chief Gizette Gaslin

Assistant Chief Gizette Gaslin Bio

Assistant Chief Gaslin has been with the department for 27 years and has worked in a variety of units.  She started her career as a patrol officer in the Charlie sector, then transferred to the training academy as a Cadet Instructor.  In line with her passion for working with the community, Chief Gaslin then became a District Representative in the Edward and Ida sectors. In 2005, she was promoted to Detective and served in the Child Abuse, Internal Affairs, and Sex Crimes units.  In 2012, she was promoted to Sergeant and was assigned to Edward sector as a Patrol Sergeant, and then later to the Recruiting Unit. 

Chief Gaslin was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2016, and was assigned to Adam/Edward sectors for several months, then became the Community Engagement Coordinator in the Chief’s Office, where she worked for 3 years.  Shortly before becoming a Commander, she transferred back to patrol as the DTAC Operations Lieutenant.  In 2021, she was promoted to Commander, assigned to Central East patrol, and then most recently to Internal Affairs.

Chief Gaslin earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree from Texas State University and a Master’s in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management from Sam Houston State University. 

Chief Gaslin is the Assistant Chief of the South Bureau, overseeing Charlie, Henry, Frank, and DTAC, as well as the HEC/Airport/Emergency Communications Division.

You can follow Assistant Chief Gaslin on X (Formerly Twitter) @GizetteG

Assistant Chief Eric Miesse

Assistant Chief Eric Miesse

Assistant Chief Eric Miesse Bio

Assistant Chief Eric Miesse began his career with the appointment to the 81st Cadet Class on July 13, 1992, and was commissioned on January 8, 1993. His first assignment was the David 300s. He then transferred into the academy as a cadet instructor in October of 1997. In 1999, he was promoted to Detective and was assigned to Southwest Investigations. Miesse transferred back to the Academy to the Learned Skills unit towards the end of 2000.

As a Sergeant, he was assigned to the Baker 300s and 100s. He later transitioned to SWAT and K9 unit until his promotion to Lieutenant in 2011.

As a Lieutenant he spent four years supervising David/Frank Night Patrol and transferred to David/Frank Day Patrol.

In December 2016, Miesse was promoted to Commander overseeing the Highway Enforcement Command (HEC). While in HEC, he became the first Commander to complete the Basic Motor School. In December of 2021, he supervised the Emergency Communications and the Airport along with HEC. Throughout his career, Chief Miesse has consistently demonstrated a dedication to and passion for service.

Chief Miesse will be assigned to South Patrol Bureau and DTAC.

Assistant Chief Eric Fitzgerald

Assistant Chief Eric Fitzgerald

Assistant Chief Eric Fitzgerald Bio

Assistant Chief Fitzgerald has more than two decades of law enforcement experience spanning various roles, encompassing patrol, investigations, special event security, community engagement, criminal intelligence, and counterterrorism. He started his career with the Austin Police Department in 2001 with the 104th cadet class. After graduation, he served in Edward Sector on the night shift before being assigned to the SWAT team. He was then promoted to detective, where he dedicated several years to the Gang Unit as a member of the FBI's Austin Safe Streets Task Force and later the Financial Crimes Unit, supporting the US Secret Service Central Texas Counterfeit Task Force.

As a sergeant, Fitzgerald supervised a Frank Sector evening shift before moving to the Austin Regional Intelligence Center, where he served for five years as a deputy director. During his time as a lieutenant, he fulfilled roles in both Charlie Sector and Investigations 3.

In December of 2021, Fitzgerald was promoted to commander. Initially assigned to the Downtown Area Command, he later transitioned to Investigations 1. In this role, he oversaw a diverse array of units within the division, including Homicide, Robbery, the Aggravated Assault Unit, Violent Crimes Task Force, and the Violent Crime Night Shift Detectives.

Throughout his career, Assistant Chief Fitzgerald has cultivated crucial partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as private sector entities. His collaborative efforts have consistently bolstered public safety and addressed emerging threats to the community. 

Photo of Executive Lieutenant Craig Smith

Executive Lieutenant Craig Smith

Executive Lieutenant Craig Smith Bio

Lt. Craig Smith has worked for the Austin Police Department for nearly 17 years.  He started his career in the Southwest area command. He has also worked in intelligence in Domestic Violence as an investigator, as a patrol Sergeant in South Central Austin, a Sergeant in the Sex Offender Unit, and as a patrol Lieutenant in Southeast Austin.  Currently, he serves as Chief Henderson's Executive Lieutenant. 

Lt. Craig Smith received his Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences and his Masters in Health Sciences and Human Services in Criminal Justice from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas.

 

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Executive Community Engagement Lieutenant Fausto Rodriguez

Executive Community Engagement Lieutenant Fausto Rodriguez Bio

Lieutenant Fausto Rodriguez, a native of Compton, CA, embarked on a path of service from an early age. Raised by Salvadorian immigrants in a community known for its challenges, Fausto was inspired by a sense of duty instilled in him by his upbringing. At 18, he decided to join the US Air Force, where he honed his skills working on fighter aircraft, demonstrating a commitment to excellence and precision.

Upon completing his service in the Air Force, Fausto sought to continue his service journey, drawn to the vibrant and eclectic city of Austin, TX. Intrigued by its diverse music culture and culinary delights such as BBQ and breakfast tacos, he saw an opportunity to contribute to the community in a meaningful way. Thus, he joined the Austin Police Department, eager to make a difference in the lives of its residents and continue a life of service.

Fausto's career with the Austin Police Department began as a rookie patrol officer in South Central Austin. In this role, he learned the importance of community policing and building trust with residents. His dedication and commitment to serving the community did not go unnoticed, leading to his promotion to District Representative, where he focused on addressing the needs of community members directly.

Driven by a desire to tackle complex cases and make a deeper impact, Fausto transitioned to the role of Detective, specializing in person crimes. His sharp investigative skills and attention to detail earned him accolades and respect among his peers. Fausto's journey then took an undercover turn as he joined the Organized Crime Narcotics unit, working tirelessly to combat drug-related crimes and keep the streets of Austin safe.

Fausto was then promoted to Sergeant, where he took on the responsibility of overseeing the entertainment district in Downtown Austin. In this role, he ensured the safety of residents and visitors alike, managing high-pressure situations with professionalism and integrity.

Fausto was promoted to Lieutenant, where he once again served Downtown Austin, focusing on fostering positive relationships with businesses and community stakeholders. His strategic approach and collaborative spirit contributed to a safer and more cohesive community.

As Executive Lieutenant, Fausto oversees community engagement efforts, emphasizing the importance of building trust and transparency between law enforcement and the public. His steadfast commitment to the principles of integrity, service before self, and excellence in all endeavors serves as a guiding light for his colleagues and the community at large.

Fausto’s dedication to upholding the values of integrity, service, and excellence has shown a commitment to his colleagues and dedication within the Austin Police Department and the community he proudly serves.

Lieutenant Shauna Griffin

Executive Staffing Lieutenant Shauna Griffin

Executive Staffing Lieutenant Shauna Griffin Bio

Lieutenant Shauna Griffin began her law enforcement career with the Austin Police Department in 2002.  She served as a patrol officer in both Charlie and Henry Sectors.  After promoting to Detective, she worked investigations in Family Violence, Sex Crimes, and the Special Investigations Unit. Lieutenant Griffin was then promoted to Sergeant and was assigned to Henry patrol, as well as Internal Affairs and the Special Investigations Unit.  Upon being promoted to lieutenant, she served in that capacity for Henry Sector evening shifts, Internal Affairs, and the Property Crimes Unit.  Currently, she serves as the Staffing Lieutenant for the Austin Police Department.

Lt. Griffin earned her Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, from Southwest Texas State University.

Photo of Michelle Schmidt, Assistant Director

Assistant Director Michelle Schmidt

Assistant Director Michelle Schmidt Bio

Michelle has been serving the City of Austin and APD since 2014.  Michelle was promoted to APD’s Assistant Director position in 2022 after serving in several management roles within APD’s Financial Services Division. Before her role at APD, she worked in the private sector as Vice President of Bank of Texas and Human Resource Director for Soleus Healthcare. Michelle earned a BBA in Accounting from Texas State University, is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police and the COA Executive Academy, and currently serves as a board member of the Major Cities Chiefs Financial Management Team.
In her role, she oversees the following program areas: 

  • The Financial Services Division which oversees the department’s budget development, grant management, accounts payable & receivable, procurement & contract management, capital projects & building services, and property control & equipment management.
  • The Data & Business Technology Division which manages the department’s performance measures, data analysis, crime analysis, central records, fingerprinting, and business technology. This includes the Support Services Division which has oversight of all administrative staff that directly serve sworn personnel units. 
  • The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Division which serves as the departmental equity liaison, working with the City Equity office and community stakeholders on improving equity and inclusion within the policies and culture of the department.
  • Liaison for the Human Resources Division