Police associations support Chief García remaining in Dallas

Five years ago, Dallas Police Sgt. George Aranda stood at a podium and called for the resignation of former chief U. Reneé Hall, sparking strong disagreement among some city officials and civil service associations.

He stood at the same podium on Friday and drew a contrast between that day and The moment — as several police associations came together to advocate for the retention of Dallas Police Chief Eddie García.

“I don’t believe that in the history of the Dallas Police Department there has been one or more associations that have come together to demand the commitment of a chief,” Aranda told reporters at a news conference in West Dallas.

Aranda, president of the Dallas National Latino Law Enforcement Organization, expressed his support for the city’s top cop while flanked by the presidents of the Dallas Police Association and the Asian Peace Officer Association of North Texas. The news conference came amid widespread reports that García is being courted by city officials in Houston and Austin, both of which have interim chiefs.

Aranda said the reports were true, but added that the city of Dallas has now submitted a proposal to the mayor and he has heard positive feedback about it. According to Aranda, Dallas Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert “did everything she could” to keep García.

“The city reached out to the chief at this point,” he said.

Garcia declined to comment. Tolbert did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.

Although they were not present, the presidents of the Dallas Police Women’s Association and Dallas’ National Black Police Association also spoke The Dallas Morning News They support Garcia. The Black Police Association of Greater Dallas – one of the three largest associations – was not at the news conference and its president, Lt. Andre Taylor shared this The news They had no comment. In 2019, the group’s former president expressed vehement opposition after Aranda called on Hall to resign.

Dallas officials expressed concern earlier this week that other cities would try to poach García. On Wednesday, Tolbert said other cities should “turn around and go home” if they are “shopping Dallas” for a boss.

“Of course the City Council members and I want him to do a good job in Dallas,” she said in her public statement. “Achieving this requires flexibility, creativity and a great deal of responsibility, but we are working tirelessly to develop solutions. I think Chief (García) wants to stay here.”

Aranda said Houston Mayor John Whitmire in particular has been “very clear” about García’s recruitment. Officials in Houston announced the sudden resignation of their former boss Troy Finner on Tuesday following an investigation into the department’s dismissal of thousands of criminal investigations.

Whitmire’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He was elected to lead Houston last year. He previously served as chairman of the Texas State Criminal Justice Committee and was a Democratic senator for decades.

TC Broadnax — Dallas’ former city manager who hired García in 2020 — recently became Austin’s top administrator. When asked if he was recruiting García, a spokesman for the city of Austin provided only a brief statement: “No offer has been made as the position has not yet been advertised and will not be available until early next week.”

García launched in Dallas on February 3, 2021 and received widespread recognition for his plan to reduce violent crime. He has stated that his goal is to remain boss for five years. According to the city, his base salary has increased by about $60,000 since he took office, bringing his total to $306,440.40 as of April.

In recent months, some officials — including former Public Safety Chairman Adam McGough — have pushed for a deal to solidify García’s tenure.

Police chiefs are not allowed to enter into contracts under the Dallas city charter. According to the charter, the city manager has the authority to hire and fire the police chief and most other city department heads at any time.

Aranda listed García’s accomplishments — including the annual reduction in violent crime, his decision to lift disciplinary action against the DPD’s vice unit and the creation of an officer well-being unit — and said association leaders have received text messages and calls from officers , who were worried about the boss’s departure.

“We are very concerned,” Aranda said. “That’s why we’re here. We don’t want to go back ten steps like we did four years ago.”

Sr. Cpl. Jaime Castro – president of the Dallas Police Association, the largest officer union – echoed Aranda’s sentiments about the “rare occasion” that police associations gather for a single purpose. He said this was important and that the city council would have to “cut through the bureaucracy” to keep García.

“We cannot afford to lose Chief García,” Castro said. “We can not.”

Lt. Paul Thai, who leads the Asian Peace Officers Association of North Texas, said it would be “a huge blow” and “devastating” if the chief left. He and Castro encouraged the city council and Dallas residents to express their support for García to stay.

Officer Jennifer Atherton, president of the Dallas Police Women’s Association, said she was unable to attend the news conference but also expressed strong support for García, citing his “deep commitment” to the rank and file and his understanding of the unique challenges, that women face law enforcement.

She urged the city to consider keeping García in that role for as long as possible.

“While we may not always agree, Chief García is always open to listening and carefully considering our perspectives,” Atherton said. “In a male-dominated culture, his support and willingness to work with us are invaluable.”

Aranda said it was no secret that García wanted a contract, adding that officials should have done something a year and a half ago when demands for a contract were first voiced. But, he said, the city now appears determined to keep García.

“This is unprecedented,” he said. “Usually we meet when we ask for a vote of no confidence in a boss. But for all of us to stand up here as one and demand the bond of the chief so that we can keep him – that has never happened before.”

City columnist Sharon Grigsby contributed to this report.