Topeka has new leadership for all public safety related departments.

City manager Robert Perez selected Avery Moore — a longtime Dallas Police Department employee and most recently police chief in Tacoma, Washington — as his assistant city manager.

"Avery brings decades of leadership experience and a deep understanding of public service," Perez said in a written statement. "His commitment to innovation, integrity and community. He will be a tremendous asset to our organizations and to the residents of Topeka."

The position was opened in August 2024, and the city saw about 40 applicants. Perez said because very few of the applicants had public safety service experience, the city held off hiring and focused on the search for a new police chief, which was completed after the hiring of Chris Vallejo in November 2024.

"The challenge was that a lot of those applicants were general city managers," Perez said in a news conference May 12. "There wasn't a whole lot of public safety experience with the applicants that we saw.

Perez went on to say he and Moore never crossed paths in Dallas and Moore was heavily vetted like any other candidate.

What are the Topeka assistant city manager's duties?

Moore will be responsible for all public safety departments for Topeka, including such entities as the Topeka fire and police departments, municipal court and emergency management.

He will also help the city council with professional staffing and oversight of "essential city services."

Moore began May 12.

"I am excited to be able to serve the City of Topeka in this capacity," Moore said in a written statement. "I will continue to lead in a manner that promoted excellence with character."

Who is Avery Moore?

Moore earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice, a master's degree in management and is a current doctoral candidate for leadership at Liberty University.

About 35 years of Moore's life was spent serving in the Dallas Police Department, where he rose to assistant chief of police. Over the past three years, Moore served as police chief in Tacoma, Washington.

While working in Tacoma in September 2024, Moore was placed on administrative leave for using a work phone on an international trip, which costed the department about $1,000 and he repaid . Moore retired in February 2025 and was paid $479,267 as part of his separation agreement with the Tacoma Police Department.

When asked what Moore would want to say to Topeka residents to instill trust, he said he takes accountability even when he makes mistakes.

"Number one, you can't believe everything that you read," Moore said. "Number two, I've been in law enforcement for 35 years. I have an impeccable record, not perfect. I've made mistakes. I've owned every mistake I've ever made, and I'm proud of that. I don't make excuses."

Does Avery Moore have concerns about Topeka's public safety?

Topeka was ranked the fourth best city in Kansas. However, as part of that ranking, the city received a D+ grade on public safety. Moore said he read the report in The Capital-Journal and was concerned.

"But public safety, we didn't do so well," Moore said. "So, I'm already taking that personal. I want to make everybody that lives in this city, that works in this city feel safe about crime and just overall safety.

"I want us to be the absolute best."

Other than addressing public safety issues, Moore said his main mission is to learn about Topeka and its needs.

"One of the things I love more than anything is to learn," Moore said. "So, Robert and I were talking about priorities this morning, my main priority is to learn how we operate in the city because you can't lead if you don't know anything. So, I'm going to listen, learn and then lead and I'm excited.