Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux says his long-term goal is to make the Dallas Police Department known as the most proactive police department in the country.
Comeaux joined Sarah Zubiate Bennett on Let’s Talk Local to discuss his vision for DPD, the department’s recruiting gains, downtown safety, and the leadership culture he says is helping drive crime down.
“I want everyone to know that we are the most proactive police department in the United States and keeping everyone safe,” Comeaux said.
Comeaux said that means officers are not simply waiting for emergency calls.
“We’re not just sitting by dispatch waiting for 911 calls to come in,” Comeaux said. “We’re going out looking for the worst of the worst to put them in jail, especially those who have felony warrants.”
He said DPD also works with federal partners daily to target serious offenders.
“If you’re out there selling drugs in Dallas, you need to be worried about us knocking on your door at six in the morning,” Comeaux said.
Comeaux credited part of the department’s progress to rebranding DPD and building a culture officers want to join and remain part of.
“People want to play for this team now and they want to stay on this team,” Comeaux said.
The chief said DPD recently held a three-day recruiting event that drew 337 applicants, something he said had not happened in Dallas before.
Comeaux also said the department has changed how it approaches leadership and staffing. He pointed to bringing experienced civilian professionals into key roles, including communications and human resources, so officers can focus on policing.
“We’re civilianizing certain positions throughout the police department to make us better,” Comeaux said.
Comeaux said the department continues to see crime reductions, but he emphasized that DPD is not finished improving.
“Look, we’re not done,” Comeaux said. “We’re not done.”
He compared his role to that of a general manager building a winning sports team.
“I get to put the players in the right position to succeed,” Comeaux said.
Comeaux discussed recruiting, violent crime, leadership, downtown safety, and the legacy he hopes to leave in the full Let’s Talk Local episode.
Watch the full conversation with Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux on Let’s Talk Local.
Provided by Dallas Express
