Latest news with #Igo
CBS News
08-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Dallas poised for new police chief amid community demands for reform
Those familiar with the search believe the City of Dallas could have a permanent police chief by the end of the week. Community activists and police watchdog groups are using these final days to make it known who and what qualities they expect from whomever the city manager chooses among five finalists . It's the neighborhoods of Dallas that have problems with both under-policing and over-policing that community leaders say too many Dallas police chiefs ignore despite promises to address. Tamara Neal, who co-founded the Dallas Freedom Act, said she wants the next chief to have the courage to decriminalize marijuana possession offenses that her DPD study found more often target minorities than other races. She said of the five finalists for the job, DPD's Interim Chief Michael Igo has said the right thing. "What I will say is that he definitely lifted up the fact that we need to stop arrests for certain small, low-level amounts of cannabis," said Neal. Igo is vying for the job permanently along with: Each participated in public and private meet and greets over the last few weeks. Cydney Walker has been advocating on her podcasts for changes to police calls for service by providing officers and civilian employees more information about red flags, such as prior mental health issues before responding. She likes what she heard from all of the finalists. "Igo. The gentleman from Houston, the DEA agent. I was also impressed with Arrerdondo," said Walker. "But it seems like the council is sitting between Igo and the gentleman from Houston." It's been more than five months since the departure of the former Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia . Whoever takes over will fill the shoes of one of the most popular police chiefs the department has ever had.
Axios
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Axios
What the next Dallas police chief faces
Dallas is nearing the end of its nationwide search for a new police chief — a position that will face increased scrutiny from the community and state officials. Why it matters: The new chief search comes as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating the police department, claiming it's not complying with state and federal immigration laws. The city is also trying to fulfill a measure to increase its police force passed by voters in November and revise its plans for a new law enforcement training facility. The latest: Paxton announced last week his office is investigating the city and its police department on allegations that Dallas is acting as a sanctuary city and protecting undocumented immigrants. The AG's office is requesting all department training materials and policies on immigration laws, as well as communications between city leadership and police regarding immigrant detainment. Context: Interim chief Michael Igo said last month officers won't stop anyone solely to check their immigration status. The department has not been asked to assist in any federal or state immigration enforcement, he said. The big picture: Democratic mayors across the U.S. have been called to testify in Congress about their sanctuary city policies. President Trump signed an executive order cutting federal grants to sanctuary cities, but the move was blocked in federal court. Flashback: Last year, then-chief Eddie Garcia said the department would not be enforcing a state law that allows officers to arrest and deport people believed to be in the country illegally until the rules were clarified. The law, Senate Bill 4, has been on hold while it makes its way through the courts. State of play: Igo has been the interim police chief since the former chief left for a role in Austin in October. The city launched a nationwide search for the position in January with the goal of interviewing finalists at the end of March. The city manager sent a memo to council members saying the search is on track and the hiring decision is expected in the next month. Igo has said he wants to be considered for the permanent position. Between the lines: Garcia's policies reduced crime, and his leadership style appeased both elected officials and the department's rank-and-file during his three-year tenure — a balance few former chiefs were able to find. But after the former chief left, Dallas voters passed a measure that requires the city to hire hundreds more officers, despite current and former elected officials warning the goal is unnecessary and too costly. City Council is also grappling with the department's training needs. Recruits have trained at an old warehouse facility for decades and have been promised a new academy at UNT-Dallas. The intrigue: Paxton sued the city after police officials said they would follow a voter-backed ordinance that deprioritizes marijuana arrests. Paxton lost. What's next: Dallas city officials said they "are reviewing the letter received from the Texas Attorney General's Office and will respond at the appropriate time." Council will be briefed on the new police academy plans in April.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
City Council once again lowers Dallas police hiring goal to satisfy Prop U requirement
The Brief After nearly two hours of spirited debate on Wednesday, the Dallas City Council passed a nonbinding resolution to beef up recruiting numbers within the Dallas Police Department. But instead of adding 325, they dropped the requirement to 300 next fiscal year. Dallas Interim Police Chief Michael Igo says the new goal of 300 for the next fiscal year is more realistic to accomplish. He and the police union warn that anything higher than that would negatively impact services. Last November, voters passed Proposition U by a narrow margin. It changed the city charter to require DPD to increase its total rank and file to 4,000 officers. Currently, the Dallas Police Department has a little more than 3,100 sworn officers on the payroll. DALLAS - The Dallas City Council once again lowered its expectations over increasing the police force. Last year, voters approved a charter amendment calling for a dramatic increase in officers. Top brass at the Dallas Police Department say a dramatic increase just isn't realistic. What we know After nearly two hours of spirited debate on Wednesday, the Dallas City Council passed a nonbinding resolution to beef up recruiting numbers within the Dallas Police Department. However, instead of adding 325, they dropped the requirement to 300 next fiscal year. The figure is more in line with what Dallas Interim Police Chief Michael Igo says is realistic to accomplish. He and the police union warn anything higher than that would negatively impact services. "Moving the needle to 325 means me moving critical resources out of the patrol bureau with the thought of increased response times and increase in crime overall," he said. That's because patrol resources would need to be redirected toward training recruits. The backstory The department started this fiscal year with a hiring goal of 250, citing challenges to onboard and train rookie officers. "My team is working extremely hard to fill our recruit classes," said Igo. "If it was as simple as snapping my fingers to get the recruits in, I'd do that in a heartbeat." Earlier this month, the Dallas Public Safety Committee already voted to recommend a lower target of 325 new hires from the original proposal of 400 for next fiscal year. Last November, voters passed Proposition U by a narrow margin. It changed the city charter to require DPD to increase its total rank and file up to 4,000 officers. What they're saying Advocates who championed getting Prop U through say the current approach isn't going to cut it. "This is not just a policy recommendation; this is a part of our city charter now," said Damien Leveck, Dallas HERO's executive director. "So to achieve this goal, we must set hiring targets that will get us to 4,000 officers in 3-5 years. A hiring plan that does not do this does not align with the expectation of the voters you serve." At least two council members echoed that sentiment from the horseshoe, voting down the resolution on Wednesday. "The only way we achieve a higher number is by setting a higher goal," said Councilmember Jesse Moreno. "Our hiring and recruitment goals must be aligned with our constituents' priorities." Councilmember Adam Bazaldua argued that adding staff too quickly and going against the advice of police would be irresponsible. "I think it would be a slap in the face to the department for anyone of us to say that we know better than them," he said. By the numbers Currently, the Dallas Police Department has a little more than 3,100 sworn officers on the payroll. The police chief also revealed on Wednesday that overall violent crime is down by 15%. What's next Goals have been set for down the line. The Dallas City Council wants to add 350 new officers next fiscal year and then 400 the year after that. But for right now, the focus remains on the immediate future. The Source Information in this article comes from Wednesday's Dallas City Council meeting and previous FOX 4 reports.
CBS News
26-02-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Dallas police warned against taking time off next year during World Cup
Dallas Police officers have been told to not expect to be able to take time off for two months during the 2026 summer as the city ramps up security for multiple World Cup events. A message Dallas officers received Monday from Interim Police Chief Michael Igo said the 2026 World Cup "will increase the demand for police resources." As a result, Igo said, no discretionary time off will be approved between May 28 and July 26. The international broadcast center will be at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, and AT&T Stadium in Arlington will host nine World Cup games. Sources within the department said FIFA has requested a large law enforcement presence. The announcement was met with criticism from officers who say the dates span the same period any children are out of school. The 2026 World Cup will be played in 16 host cities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and will feature 48 teams. The opener of the 39-day tournament will be played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11 and the Final will be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
CBS News
20-02-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Interim Dallas police chief to give statement on immigration
Interim Dallas Police Chief Michael Igo is expected to give a statement on immigration Thursday at 4 p.m. You can watch the live feed from the Dallas Police Headquarters in the YouTube player by clicking HERE. This follows a series of meetings that began last week to reassure immigrant communities in North Texas that police officers will not participate in deportation raids or arrests. Three meetings have taken place in the DFW area: one in Irving, another in White Settlement, and one at a church in Southeast Dallas. At these meetings, Interim Chief Igo emphasized that his officers would not assist in any U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids or arrests. The final meeting is scheduled for tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Unidos, 802 S. Buckner Blvd. Igo has previously warned that undocumented immigrants with active criminal warrants are at risk of deportation.
