Council Elections Loom as DPS Boosts Recruitment
Results from efforts to increase the number of Dallas police officers since the passing of Proposition U continue to be a mixed bag. The Dallas Police Department reported hiring 253 officers last fiscal year while also losing 191 officers.
Yet, City Manager Kimberly Tolbert remains optimistic.
“We are proud to be building on being one of the safest large cities in the country. We are confident that Dallas is investing wisely in public safety to solidify its succession planning,” said Tolbert in a recent news release.
Police officials announced plans to expand recruiting efforts near the panhandle and the border, while also targeting some other states. An increase in starting pay for new officers, and recruitment referral bonuses by existing officers are also being offered as incentives.
In a City of Dallas memorandum, DPD reported adding recruiting ads in Meta (Facebook/Instagram) for sworn and professional staff, billboards in Tarrant County along Interstate 820/Interstate 35, in Huntsville, and Galveston, and the utilization of Indeed and ZipRecruiter. The City’s update also referenced discussions with Dallas Area Rapid Transit regarding advertising on their buses, a consideration for mall advertising, a movie theater campaign, and cumulus media streaming ads. Additionally, the Department is planning to add two more billboards in Houston and the Dallas area.
Recruiting efforts extend beyond the officers, as a national search for the next Dallas Police Department Chief and a regional and local search for the next Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief have been launched.
Tolbert aims to fill both positions by early spring.
“As Dallas evolves into a globally recognized city that sets the standard for excellence, it is imperative to have a visionary leader guiding DPD into its next chapter,” she said.
On May 3, residents will have the opportunity to choose 14 members of the Dallas City Council.
Council member Gay Donnell Willis, who will be running for reelection in District 13, noted Dallas is the only top American city to see a reduction in violent crime for four years in a row, and added that District 13 had the greatest reduction in crime across all categories at over 18%.
Willis indicated that during the recent Public Safety Committee meeting she, “gladly supported increasing the number of officers targeted to hire in 2024-25 from 250 to 325,” adding that 250 had been the floor and 300 was the stretch goal, but the Committee is pushing DPD recruiting to find and cultivate more to serve.
“I haven’t heard one Council colleague suggest that they do not want to hire more officers, so I think we will continue to build our force and keep this community safe,” said Willis.
