DALLAS — Daniel C. Comeaux, a veteran federal law enforcement official with more than 30 years of experience, has been appointed as the new Chief of Police for the city of Dallas, WFAA reported.
He will officially assume the role on April 23, according to the report.
Comeaux currently serves as Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Houston Division, which covers more than 118,000 square miles across Texas and includes over 645 miles of the U.S.–Mexico border. His leadership has focused on dismantling transnational criminal organizations and combating drug trafficking, including the spread of fentanyl, according to the report.
Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, and raised in New Orleans, Comeaux began his law enforcement career in 1992 with the Houston Police Department where he worked in patrol and narcotics. He joined the DEA in 1997, first assigned to Oakland, California, before returning to Houston in 2000, according to the report. Over the years, he built a reputation for leading complex investigations and fostering community collaboration.
“I am proud that my career in law enforcement has come full circle and look forward to serving alongside the men and women of the Dallas Police Department,” Comeaux said in a statement.
Comeaux takes over at a crucial time for the department, which is facing challenges with officer shortages and increasing demands on public safety, according to the report. His appointment follows a competitive national search and a selection process that included four other finalists:
- Interim Chief Mike Igo, a 33-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department who has served in various leadership roles since joining in 1991.
- Assistant Chief Catrina Shead, also a longtime member of the department with leadership experience in major investigative and administrative units.
- Chief Roberto Arredondo, current chief of the Carrollton Police Department and former DPD officer with over 25 years of experience.
- Brian Boetig, a former FBI official and senior consultant with expertise in cyber investigations and national security.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson welcomed Comeaux’s appointment, citing his federal and local law enforcement background.
“Dallas needs Chief Comeaux to be a dynamic leader who can thoughtfully and resolutely work to keep our citizens safe,” Johnson said.
He also noted the city’s ongoing decline in violent crime, including a six-year low recorded last April, according to the report.
Comeaux replaces Interim Chief Michael Igo, who has led the department since the beginning of 2024.
