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KVUE's Jessica Vess reports

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An Austin police officer has been denied his promotion. Chief Art Acevedo named three officers who will move up to the rank of commander, but he bypassed the first lieutenant in line.

Commander is one of the top positions within a police department. Chief Acevedo says he wants officers in that position to hold a higher standard -- a standard he says that Lt. Wayne Demoss does not stand up to. He declined Demoss' promotion this week citing what he calls Demoss' lack of judgment.

The decision took over the morning show airwaves on Wednesday. On KLBJ-AM, callers showed support of Chief Acevedo’s decision:

"In that kind of work, at that position, you hold yourself to a higher standard," said one caller.

Others argued against the decision:

"It didn't violate any laws of that land. It just seems kinda of way lopsided," said another caller.

By Wednesday afternoon, the talk spilled onto downtown Austin streets.

"Everyone makes mistakes," said Raymond Wong.

"He's still enforcing the law here. He should be fine," added Jamal Hasnat.

Chief Acevedo defended his decision.

"We have to ensure as an organization that we promote only people that we believe are going to help the organization succeed," said Chief Acevedo.

In a city memo, Acevedo cited two reasons for declining Demoss' promotion.

One stems from the funeral of former APD Captain Louie White. At the funeral earlier this year, Acevedo says Demoss joked about not knowing Austin City Manager Marc Ott. In the memo, Chief Acevedo says Ott approached Demoss and said hello. Demoss asked "Who are you?"

"He found it humorous. I think it shows a lack of engagement," said Chief Acevedo.

There are also allegations of Lt. Demoss' involvement in prostitution.

According to the city memo, Demoss admitted to investigators to visiting a legal prostitution house during a vacation in Panama. He says he didn't pay for sex, but refused to give other details.

"I don't believe that he's demonstrated the judgment that we subscribe to," said Chief Acevedo.

Demoss was never disciplined for the allegations. His loss for promotion now has some officers at APD worried about their own standing.

"I think these standards, what did you do on vacation, is very disturbing to us," said Sgt. Wayne Vincent, who serves as president of the Austin Police Association.

Sgt. Vincent says officers within APD have come to him, worried about what this means for the force and angry over the Demoss' loss to move up.

"It's very disturbing. It's almost a disincentive to move up through the ranks," said Sgt. Vincent.

Demoss had already completed and passed testing for the promotion. He was first in line for the promotion when Acevedo by-passed him. Instead three other lieutenants were promoted including Lt. Stephen Baker, Lt. Patrick Ockletree and Lt. Marcelino Gonzales.

Demoss is appealing Acevedo's decision. He has hired attorney Tom Stribling to represent him.

Demoss is the first officer Chief Acevedo has bypassed for a promotion during his two years at APD. He is not the first to lose a chance to move up because of discipline concerns.

Acevedo says the three lieutenants who were promoted to commander will be promoted on Thursday.