Dallas official reacts to Houston’s interest in DPD Chief Garcia

HOUSTON — With Troy Finner’s retirement announced amid the “understaffing” scandal, speculation is swirling around who the next leader will be.

On Wednesday, sources told our sister station, WFAA, that the city of Houston has expressed interest in Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia. These sources also indicated that the city of Austin was interested in Garcia.

So what does Dallas think of these reports? Interim Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert didn’t hold back, telling Houston and Austin to “turn around and go home.”

Here is his full statement:

“It’s no surprise that other Texas cities are expressing interest in Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia. He was the key leader in reducing Dallas’ crime rate and helped raise police morale while building residents’ confidence in the department’s leadership.

“Clearly, City Council members and I want him to continue doing a good job in Dallas. It will take flexibility, creativity and a strong dose of accountability to get there, but we are working tirelessly to develop solutions. I believe Chief Garcia wants to stay here.

“To cities looking for a new leader in Dallas, I have a message for you: ‘Turn around and go home.’ In the meantime, I will keep the municipal council and the population informed of the progress of these files.

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But is Houston courting Garcia?

KHOU 11 reached out to the city of Houston. Here’s how they responded.

“Mayor Whitmire wants to improve HPD, take the department out of the media headlines and return its focus to public safety. He is confident that Interim Chief Satterwhite will be a strong leader and that it is too early to discuss next steps in finding a new police chief.

So who is Edgardo Garcia? He was hired as chief in Dallas in 2021 and is currently employed at-will, meaning he could leave at any time. The city of Dallas may have to offer a stay contract, according to WFAA sources.

Austin’s interest, according to WFAA, is because the police chief position has been vacant since August, when Joseph Chacon retired. It could also be attractive to Garcia because former Dallas City Manager TC Broadnax is now city manager there. Broadnax hired Garcia in Dallas, according to WFAA.

WFAA reports that under Garcia, violent crime in the city has declined for three straight years and is now at a six-year low.

Before Garcia was in Dallas, he served as chief of the San Jose Police Department from 2016 to 2020. That’s where he began his career in law enforcement.

Larry Satterwhite is serving as interim police chief while the search for a permanent replacement continues.

Finner’s departure comes amid the scandal surrounding the “understaffing” code which led to thousands of cases being suspended. Below is KHOU 11’s coverage of the code and cases.