Garcia was one of four finalists named for the role of Fort Worth Police Chief. He left his position in Dallas for a role in Austin last year.
FORT WORTH, Texas — It’s the twist that caught many by surprise.
WFAA was first to report that former Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia — who walked away from law enforcement just months ago — is now one of the final four candidates to lead the Fort Worth Police Department.
Garcia left Dallas in 2024 to take a civilian job in Austin, despite signing a contract extension and receiving a retention bonus to remain in the role through 2027. His return to the Metroplex — and potential move to lead Dallas’ longtime rival city — has sparked reaction on both sides of the Trinity River.
The full list of finalists includes Interim Fort Worth Chief Robert Alldredge, former Dallas Deputy Chief Vernon Hale III, Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Emada Tingirides and Garcia, who was credited with bringing down violent crime in Dallas and building trust with both officers and community activists.
“To garner Eddie Garcia to be the next police chief for the city of Fort Worth would be a coup,” said community activist Cory Session. “Getting Eddie Garcia would be a loss for Dallas but would be an absolute gain for Fort Worth.”
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker praised the city’s national search.
“I am tremendously proud of the city that has led a great search process,” Parker said. “We had a tremendous number of candidates which bodes well for our city — the best police department in the county, in my opinion.”
Fort Worth Councilmember Michael D. Crain said he’s focused on a leader who can support officers and strengthen community ties.
“As the search for Fort Worth’s next police chief moves forward with four finalists announced, my top priority remains ensuring that the candidate ultimately recommended by City Manager Jay Chapa is a leader dedicated to building trust with our community while steadfastly supporting every member of the Fort Worth Police Department,” Crain said. “I look forward to a transparent selection process that includes meaningful community engagement in the weeks ahead.”
Dallas leaders also reacted to the news.
“It looks like Fort Worth has four strong candidates for police chief,” said Dallas Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Gay Donnell Willis. “I’m sure they’ll make the right choice for their city, and I look forward to how both of our new chiefs can work to make North Texans safer.”
Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert also extended her well wishes to Garcia and the other candidates.
“Congratulations to former police chief Garcia and the finalists for this opportunity,” Tolbert said. “City Manager Jay Chapa and I share in the sentiment that public safety is a top priority to keep the region and its communities thriving. I wish all of the finalists much success!”
The next Fort Worth police chief will face a department in transition, with staffing shortages, increasing calls for transparency and a growing population that recently surpassed one million residents.
“Of course we all want crime to come down,” Session said. “But increasing the police department — you know, we are a city that just surpassed one million, but our police staff is yet smaller than Austin by a few hundred.”
Community support is expected to play a major role in the final decision. The Latino Law Enforcement Association said it is watching the process closely and looking for a chief who can effectively lead and listen.
“We have a lot of excitement, people who are familiar with his work in Dallas and the opportunity for him to come to Fort Worth — as well as the other candidates,” said Nestor Martinez, president of the association.
City Manager Jay Chapa, who will ultimately select the next chief, said the strength of the field reflects Fort Worth’s reputation.
“The strength of the finalist pool reflects the high regard for the Fort Worth Police Department, and our next chief must uphold — and build upon — that standard of excellence as we move forward,” Chapa said.
The interview process is expected to continue into mid-August, when Fort Worth is likely to announce its next police chief.
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