Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux has reaffirmed that his department’s policies regarding immigration enforcement remain unchanged, despite recent media interpretations and growing inquiries from the city’s Community Police Oversight Board.
During a press conference on Thursday, Comeaux stated, “Since I’ve been here I’ve said the exact same thing about immigration. We’re going to do the right thing, we’re going to do our jobs. And we will not be searching for immigrants. We have no special programs where we’re searching for immigrants.”
His comments come in the wake of an interview with Fox News, wherein Comeaux was quoted saying that if officers contact someone without immigration status, they would involve federal authorities to manage the situation.
This remark was subsequently highlighted by the Daily Mail, suggesting that Comeaux had issued a broad warning to migrants. In response, Comeaux clarified that his statement was directed specifically at individuals with felony warrants, saying, “That message was to all [those with] felony warrants out there. That’s who that message was to.”
The Chief emphasized that the Dallas Police Department (DPD) remains committed to cooperating with federal agencies when requested. He reiterated, “That stance has not changed; it’s been the same since I got here.”
Comeaux’s position aligns with his earlier statements in an interview with WFAA senior crime and justice reporter Rebecca Lopez, where he insisted that DPD does not conduct independent operations to locate undocumented immigrants. He stated, “We will work shoulder to shoulder with all of our federal partners when they need our assistance. We’ll be there to help.”
The Dallas Community Police Oversight Board has sought clarity on Comeaux’s immigration policies following his remarks in the WFAA interview. They sent a letter last month requesting further explanation of his stance.
Brandon Friedman, a representative on the board, commented, “He provided a very terse short answer, which is his right to do. But we need a little more elaboration from him on that.”
In response to these growing inquiries, the board is set to convene a special meeting on Friday to discuss drafting a follow-up letter to Comeaux ahead of their first formal meeting with him on Tuesday.
Friedman expressed concerns about the department’s adherence to proper procedures, stating, “We want to make sure that the Dallas Police Department is not just blindly following along if ICE is in fact not doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”
He further emphasized the importance of the Chief’s independent judgment: “I expect our police chief to make his own decisions, follow his own moral compass and ensure he is protecting residents of Dallas and not simply following the orders of the federal government.”
Comeaux reiterated that his officers will assist federal agents within the bounds of legal frameworks.
The Dallas Police Department’s General Order, which has been in place since 2017, clearly prohibits officers from stopping or contacting individuals solely to ascertain their immigration status. Officers may inquire about immigration status only in the context of lawful detainment or arrest.
This policy aims to establish trust within the community while balancing the department’s responsibilities to local and federal law enforcement efforts.
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