by For around three years, Garc A., who is now Austin’s associate city manager, was the head of the Dallas police force.
By Jamie Landers and Chase Rogers
On Thursday, August 14, 2025, in Fort Worth, former Dallas police chief Eddie Garc a talks at the Fort Worth Police Chief Finalists Forum.
The staff photographer, Chitose Suzuki
Fort Worth’s next police chief will be Eddie Garc, a former Dallas police chief who left for Austin last year despite city officials’ best efforts to retain him, officials said Thursday.
Less than a year has passed since Garc was appointed assistant city manager of Austin, replacing T.C. Broadnax, the former city manager of Dallas, who departed earlier to assume the top position at Austin City Hall.
During a panel discussion earlier this month in Fort Worth, Garc explained that his quick return to North Texas was motivated by his realization while in Austin that he was destined to be a police officer.
“I’m a cop at the end of the day,” Garc a stated during the panel. When I saw this chance, I thought it was fantastic for a fantastic city that not only supports its police officers but also keeps them accountable.
For around three years, Garc A. headed the Dallas police. Prior to that, he worked for the San Jose Police Department for over 30 years, moving up through the ranks and eventually leaving as chief. He became the first Latino police chief in Dallas after being appointed.
He established a national reputation as a law enforcement leader during that time, drawing notice for his emphasis on data-driven police, community involvement, and initiatives to restore public and officer confidence.
Chief Daniel Comeaux, who was previously the special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Houston Field Division, was appointed by Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert in April to replace Garc.
After exchanging it for a work suit, it will be nice to see [Garc a] back in uniform, Tolbert said in a statement released through a spokeswoman. I have no doubt that his many years of law enforcement experience will be beneficial to the residents of Fort Worth. I hope the best for him.
Following rumors that city leaders in Houston and Austin, who were both then led by interim police chiefs, were vying for Garc’s services as the head of their police departments, Tolbert had tried to keep him in Dallas.
“As a leader, I always encourage my team to follow their passions and pursue professional opportunities that advance their career goals,” said Broadnax, who also expressed confidence that Fort Worth would benefit from Garc’s leadership. He said that working with Garc in Dallas and Austin had been a privilege.
Out of 50 applications, Garc was selected as chief. He faced off against two other finalists: Vernon Hale, a former Dallas police deputy chief, and interim Chief Robert Alldredge, who has 26 years of experience with the Fort Worth Police Department.
After being promoted, Deputy Chief Emada Tingirides of the Los Angeles Police Department, a fourth candidate, decided not to have her application considered further.
After more than four years, the previous head, Neil Noakes, left in May, leaving the Fort Worth chief job vacant.
Noakes is currently employed with the American Warrior Association, a Fort Worth-based nonprofit organization with a religious focus that assists first responders, veterans, service members, and their families.
In a news release announcing the hire, Fort Worth City Manager Jesus Jay Chapa stated that Garc and city officials would not be available for interviews until a news conference on Friday morning.
By Chase Rogers
Public safety reporter Chase Rogers works for the Dallas Police Department and Dallas Fire-Rescue. He attended Texas State University to study journalism after growing up in Granbury. He worked as a reporter for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and the Austin American-Statesman before joining The News. You may reach him on Signal at crogers.95 and at 361-239-6527.
By Jamie Landers
Jamie Landers works for The Dallas Morning News as a breaking news reporter. She completed her studies in political science and journalism at Phoenix’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Jamie has worked as a reporter for Arizona PBS and The Arizona Republic.
The Dallas Morning News and Texas Metro News have partnered to reprint this story, which was first published in The Dallas Morning News. The collaboration aims to increase coverage of communities of color in Dallas, especially in the city’s southern region.
