The Dallas Police Department (DPD) has reached a significant milestone by surpassing 3,200 officers on its force, the highest number since 2017, according to city documents.
However, the department’s hiring and retention have come under increased scrutiny since the passing of the voter-approved HERO amendments, which mandate a minimum employment level of 4,000 officers.
In a memorandum sent to the Public Safety Committee on June 3, DPD reported hosting two on-site hiring events at the Jack Evans Headquarters in May.
These recruitment events attracted a total of 97 applicants.
This was part of a larger series of recruitment efforts, with more than a dozen events conducted by DPD throughout the month of May, according to the memo.
In May alone, DPD swore in 43 new recruits but faced attrition with 21 officers leaving the force.
Over the fiscal year 2024-25, DPD has had a total of 201 swearing-in ceremonies against 108 officers lost to attrition.
In November 2024, Dallas voters approved Proposition U, also known as the HERO proposal, which emphasizes the necessity of maintaining a police force of at least 4,000 officers.
A notification from the Dallas HERO organization claimed that as of February 7, 2025, the city’s police force had only 3,169 officers, leaving a shortfall of 831 officers, which is well below the Prop U requirements.
Proposition U also mandates that the city allocate at least 50% of new revenue each year toward funding the Dallas Police and Fire Pension fund.
Dallas HERO has indicated that the city has a 60-day window, until May 30, 2025, to meet this requirement or risk facing legal action.
In response to these pressing demands, DPD recently released a new recruitment video on its Facebook page shortly after receiving HERO’s notification.
As of the end of May, DPD reported a total of 3,215 officers, just under 800 officers short of the HERO amendment’s requirements.
Looking back over the last decade, DPD has never exceeded 3,700 officers since 2010.
A year-by-year breakdown of DPD staffing shows fluctuations in officer numbers: FY 2010-11 had 3,690, while FY 2024-25 currently indicates 3,192 officers.
Amid these recruitment challenges, DPD has implemented various strategies to attract new officers, including outreach to other law enforcement agencies.
Efforts include targeting potential recruits from departments in Houston, along with billboard advertisements placed strategically in locations such as Huntsville, Galveston County, Fort Worth, Dallas, and Houston.
Moreover, DPD has utilized mall displays in Houston, San Antonio, and Arlington to further enhance visibility.
In addition to these physical outreach methods, DPD has leveraged digital platforms, running recruitment ads during ESPN online streaming, targeting sports enthusiasts across states including Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, New York, California, and Florida.
As part of an ongoing campaign, DPD has also placed advertisements on 12 DART buses that will run from May 5 until October 19, covering various locations in Texas.
A movie theater recruitment campaign is set to launch in 47 locations over the summer, targeting a wide audience in an attempt to bolster officer numbers.
A list of recruitment events conducted by DPD during May illustrates their extensive outreach efforts, including participation in community events and career fairs.
Dallas’s Police Chief Daniel Comeaux, who took over the role in April, has expressed a strong commitment to prioritize hiring new officers to meet the department’s needs.
With the pressure from both the HERO amendment and community expectations, DPD remains focused on strategies to ensure a robust police force for the city.
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