Rising crime, heavy criticism won’t get Dallas police chief fired — yet

Rising crime, heavy criticism won’t get Dallas police chief fired — yet Tasha Tsiaperas

Dallas Police Chief David Brown photographed during an interview at DPD headquarters in November. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News)

By TASHA TSIAPERAS AND NAOMI MARTIN

Dallas police Chief David Brown spent his week making media rounds, meeting with state officials and lobbying with city leaders — all to defend himself against his own officers.

They said that a recent spike in violent crime, including an alarming 75 percent jump in murders, shows the chief — and his crime-fighting tactics — aren’t effective and that he needs to go. Many of the officers made the same plea just six months ago.

City leaders — though mainly supportive — are at least beginning to contemplate a future with a new chief at the helm.

But Brown, 55, held his ground. He said he enjoys serving as chief and has no immediate plans to step down.

“The tough times like now don’t compare to the rewards I get intrinsically for serving the city I grew up in,” Brown told The Dallas Morning News on Friday.

Dallas Police Association, Dallas Fraternal Order of Police and President of the Black Police Association of Greater Dallas leaders at a news conference Wednesday.

The clamor reached a fever pitch earlier this week when Brown announced a plan to move hundreds of officers to new shifts and task forces to blunt the rising crime. The next day, Gov. Gregg Abbott offered to send state troopers to Dallas to help local police, a move viewed by some as an embarrassment for one of the nation’s largest departments.

At a public safety committee meeting Monday, Brown worked hard to sell his controversial plan to council members.

“In the last six to eight months, I’m only hearing excuses,” said council member Adam McGough.

But McGough called Brown’s department “the best police force in the country.”

The moment helps show why Brown, despite the acrimony and renewed calls for his ouster, will likely remain chief. City leaders are concerned with the crime wave and growing officer complaints, but many say they still trust his leadership. For now.

“I’m pleased with the action that’s been taken even though the communication may be a little convoluted at times,” said Mayor Mike Rawlings.

But Rawlings offered a caveat. … [visit site to read more]

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