Eddie García, Dallas' former top cop, sworn in as Fort Worth's 28th police chief
Less than a year after stepping down as Dallas police chief, Eddie Garcia was sworn in Tuesday evening as Fort Worth's new police chief.
His first official day on the job will be Wednesday.
"We are guardians of our community, protectors of the innocent, enemies of the wicked, and defenders of peace. The badge we wear is not just a symbol of authority," Garcia said. "It's a promise, a promise to sacrifice, to serve with integrity, and put others before ourselves."
The former Dallas police chief turned and spoke directly to a packed room after the Fort Worth City Council members and Mayor Mattie Parker voted him in unanimously.
"It was obvious to me both watching you and the city of Dallas and your respect for the city and the citizens you serve, and, of course, your commitment to being the best department the country knew at the time," Parker said. "Now to bring all of that experience and love for your officers and for the community right here to the city of Fort Worth, we are incredibly lucky."
Garcia outlines leadership priorities
According to Garcia, his leadership priorities are to reduce crime, boost department morale and build community trust, saying he plans to act immediately, not wait months to implement changes.
Garcia officially left the Dallas Police Department on Nov. 1, 2024, after nearly four years in the role, citing burnout and a desire for work-life balance.
That same day, he began a civilian role as assistant city manager for public safety in Austin, under the leadership of former Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax. But just months into the job, he realized his true calling was police work and decided to return.
New chief pledges visibility, accountability
At Tuesday's council meeting, Garcia was surrounded by his family before he took the oath. He said one of his sons pinned a new badge on him for his dad's new job.
"Why am I not back in uniform? You know, earlier today you (Garcia's kids) asked me if it felt weird putting my uniform on, and I said it didn't feel weird because this is part of me," Garcia said.
The chief said he will spend his first day visiting Fort Worth police stations, getting briefed, in meetings, and in human resources.
He said the people of Fort Worth can expect a community-minded person who values relationships.
"Someone that knows that the police department needs to be transparent," he said. "Someone that knows that we need to be visible, that I need to be visible. And so they can expect accountability, they can expect hard work."
Fort Worth chief salary tops $300,000
Garcia will earn $306,000 annually — or $147.12 an hour — and receive a $10,000 relocation fee, which must be repaid in full if he leaves within the first year, or 50 percent if he leaves within the second.
He previously earned $306,440 a year as Dallas police chief and $327,000 annually in Austin.
In addition to Dallas, Garcia led the police department in San Jose.
Finalists narrowed after six-month search
Garcia's hiring followed a six-month search prompted by Chief Neil Noakes' retirement. He was selected from a group of finalists that included Robert Alldredge, who served as interim chief; former Dallas Deputy Chief Vernon Hale III; and Los Angeles Deputy Chief Emada Tingirides, who later withdrew from consideration.
Garcia praised the men and women of the FWPD, saying they inspired him. He also confirmed that his former competitor for the job, Robert Alldredge, will remain on his team.
"I would be naive not to have someone who was a finalist for the great city of Fort Worth to not have as part of my team," Garcia said.
Mixed reaction from community leaders
Garcia's hiring has drawn both support and criticism.
Pastor Kyev Tatum and the Ministers Justice Coalition opposed his candidacy, citing concerns over Garcia's prior retirement and alleged preferential treatment during the selection process.
At the same time, he received backing from the Fort Worth Police Officers Association, while Dallas Police Officers Association President Jaime Castro praised Garcia's collaborative leadership style and innovative crime plan. Tarrant County Commissioner Manny Ramirez also commended the appointment.
Garcia emphasizes outside perspective
Though he's not a Fort Worth native, Garcia said that's part of what makes his leadership valuable.
"I may not have been homegrown here, but what I offer is looking at the experiences that I have learned in all those departments and looking from an outside lens of what other things can we do," Garcia said recently.
Garcia has made it clear that his priorities are unchanged: reduce crime, boost morale and build trust with the community. But he's not waiting months to act.
"If on week one I see a better way to interact with our community, I'm going to implement it. I'm not going to wait 100 days," Garcia said.
He also stressed that morale within the department is foundational to any progress.
"We're not going to be able to do a thing if morale is low or if morale gets low," he said.
Message to the criminal element
On Tuesday, the new chief also put the criminal element on notice. He said he has been in touch with criminologists who have yielded previous success in assisting.
"Those who prey on the innocent should feel something very different," he said. "To the criminal element, know this, your actions will not go unchecked."