By Joanna Putman
Police1
DALLAS — Dallas voters narrowly passed a proposition that amends the city charter to require a minimum police force of 4,000 officers, up from the current 3,100, the Dallas Morning News reported.
The charter change, Proposition U, mandates that the city directs at least 50% of excess yearly revenue to public safety, including police hiring, pension funding and salary increases, according to the report. Voters also approved Proposition S, which requires Dallas to waive its governmental immunity, allowing any resident or business to sue the city if it fails to comply with the charter, local ordinances or state laws. This means Dallas could face lawsuits if it does not reach the 4,000-officer minimum in a timely manner.
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The city’s civil service department is considering reducing education requirements to attract more applicants, according to the report. Starting salaries for Dallas officers, now $75,397, are already competitive within Texas, but the city may need to raise pay further to meet staffing goals.
Dallas Hero, the nonprofit behind Propositions S and U, has stated that the measures are necessary to address public safety and improve police response times. The group suggests a three- to five-year timeline to reach full staffing, according to the report.
The propositions were approved on Nov. 6 despite critics’ concerns that such a rapid expansion could strain Dallas’ budget. Former police chief Eddie García cautioned against the rapid expansion, highlighting challenges in recruiting, training, and infrastructure that could hinder effective growth, according to the report.