Dallas, October 15, 2025
News Summary
Despite achieving its highest sworn strength in years with 3,280 officers, the Dallas Police Department continues to struggle with slow emergency response times, raising concerns among city leaders and residents. The department has added 300 new officers recently, yet response times for priority calls average 11 minutes, exceeding the 8-minute goal. For second-highest priority calls, the average wait is reported as over 92 minutes. City officials propose pay increases and technology upgrades to improve response rates and address resident frustrations.
Dallas — The Dallas Police Department (DPD) has reached its highest sworn strength in years but continues to face slow emergency response times, prompting concern from city leaders and residents. City officials report a rise in staff numbers alongside persistent delays in answering both the highest-priority calls and second-tier emergencies, leading to proposals for pay increases and consideration of technology upgrades to improve performance.
Key developments
The DPD added staff but response times remain above targets. The department’s current size and the pace at which units reach emergency scenes are the immediate focus for officials working to shorten delays and improve service.
Immediate facts and statistics
- DPD has added 300 new officers in the past year.
- The current sworn strength of DPD is 3,280 officers, the highest in years.
- Despite the increase, response times for emergencies remain slow.
- On average, DPD takes 11 minutes to respond to the highest priority calls, exceeding the 8-minute goal.
- For second-highest priority calls (e.g., robberies, car wrecks), the average response time is reportedly over 92 minutes.
- DPD lost 176 officers last year, a decrease from 214 two years prior, indicating lower attrition.
- Public Safety Committee Chair Cara Mendelsohn raised concerns at a City Council meeting regarding the contradiction of more officers and slower response times.
- Assistant Chief Israel Herrera highlighted increased participation in officer referral programs to encourage recruitment.
- Police Chief Daniel Comeaux acknowledged only modest improvements in response times.
- A Council staff member mentioned that response to priority two calls averages 94 minutes, well above the 12-minute target.
- Residents have expressed frustration at prolonged response times, with some urgent cases taking hours for police to arrive.
- DPD attributed slow response times to dispatch delays and officers being tied up on other calls.
- Dallas city manager proposed a base pay increase for officers from $71,757 to $81,232 to remain competitive with other cities.
- Residents criticized the current officer pay, stating that smaller suburbs offer better compensation.
- DPD is assessing system upgrades and comparing response times with similar-sized cities to identify improvements.
- Council member Maxie Johnson commented on the unacceptability of several hour delays for police response.
- DPD is considering adopting new technologies, like drones and improved 9-1-1 handling systems, to enhance response times.
Details supporting the lead
City officials say the department now has 3,280 officers, reflecting a net hiring push that included the addition of 300 new officers in the past year. Despite that growth, the department is not meeting internal response benchmarks. The department’s average time to reach the most urgent incidents stands at 11 minutes, surpassing the target of 8 minutes. For calls classified as second-highest priority — including robberies and significant traffic collisions — internal reports indicate the average response time is over 92 minutes, with one Council staff figure noting an average of 94 minutes for priority two calls versus an established 12-minute target.
Officials attribute delays to two primary operational pressures: slower-than-desired dispatch handling and a high number of officers concurrently assigned to other incidents. The DPD has acknowledged only modest improvements in response times so far and is evaluating both process and technology changes to reduce lag.
City actions and proposed changes
To address staffing and retention concerns, the Dallas city manager proposed increasing base pay for officers from $71,757 to $81,232 to keep compensation competitive with neighboring jurisdictions. Recruitment efforts highlighted by department leadership include expanded officer referral programs intended to draw candidates through word-of-mouth and incentives. DPD is also reviewing system upgrades and benchmarking response metrics against similar-sized cities to identify best practices.
Technology options under consideration include expanded use of drones for rapid scene assessment and upgrades to 9-1-1 handling systems to shorten dispatch time. Any changes under consideration will be evaluated for cost, expected time savings, and operational fit with current patrol models.
Public reaction and oversight
Residents have reported frustration about response delays, with some urgent cases reportedly taking hours for officers to arrive. City Council members have pressed the department for faster results, characterizing multiple-hour delays as unacceptable and urging quicker action on both staffing and process improvements. Oversight discussions at council meetings focused on reconciling increased officer counts with the slower response metrics.
Background and context
DPD experienced lower attrition in the most recent year, losing 176 officers last year, which is fewer than the 214 officers lost two years prior. While that trend suggests improved retention, it has not yet translated into the expected reduction in emergency response times. The department leadership has framed the hiring gains, referral program participation, and proposed pay adjustments as steps to build a more responsive force while the city evaluates technical and procedural reforms.
FAQ
What recent staffing changes has DPD made?
DPD has added 300 new officers in the past year.
How many sworn officers does DPD currently have?
The current sworn strength of DPD is 3,280 officers, the highest in years.
Are emergency response times improving?
Despite the increase, response times for emergencies remain slow.
How quickly does DPD respond to highest priority calls?
On average, DPD takes 11 minutes to respond to the highest priority calls, exceeding the 8-minute goal.
How long are responses to second-highest priority calls?
For second-highest priority calls (e.g., robberies, car wrecks), the average response time is reportedly over 92 minutes.
What did a Council staff member report about priority two response times?
A Council staff member mentioned that response to priority two calls averages 94 minutes, well above the 12-minute target.
Has officer turnover changed?
DPD lost 176 officers last year, a decrease from 214 two years prior, indicating lower attrition.
What reasons does DPD give for slow response times?
DPD attributed slow response times to dispatch delays and officers being tied up on other calls.
What pay changes are proposed?
Dallas city manager proposed a base pay increase for officers from $71,757 to $81,232 to remain competitive with other cities.
What technology or process changes is DPD considering?
DPD is considering adopting new technologies, like drones and improved 9-1-1 handling systems, to enhance response times.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| New officers added in past year | 300 |
| Current sworn strength | 3,280 officers |
| Average response time — highest priority | 11 minutes (goal: 8 minutes) |
| Average response time — priority two | Reportedly over 92 minutes; Council staff cited 94 minutes (target: 12 minutes) |
| Officer losses last year | 176 (down from 214 two years prior) |
| Proposed base pay increase | $71,757 to $81,232 |
| Planned technology upgrades | Drones, improved 9-1-1 handling systems, system upgrades |
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Additional Resources
- NBC DFW: Dallas Police Say Response Times Improving But Challenges Remain
- Wikipedia: General Information
- WFAA: Dallas Police Celebrate Hiring Milestone But Response Times Remain High
- Google Search: Dallas Police response times
- CBS News: Dallas Police Hiring and Crime Response Updates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: General Information
- Fox 4 News: Dallas Residents Call for Police Improvements
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
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