Dallas School Changes Police Recruit Requirements

Dallas police academy recruits engage in training activities.

News Summary

The Dallas City Council has unanimously eliminated the college credit requirement for police recruits to address staffing shortages within the Dallas Police Department. This decision aims to broaden access to the police academy while ensuring the department meets its mandated staffing levels. With the current officer count still below the needed number, the new policy requires only a high school diploma or GED and three years of full-time work experience. The changes are being piloted with ongoing evaluations planned to assess effectiveness, leveraging a partnership with a local university for academic enhancement.

Dallas – In a decisive move to address staffing shortages within the Dallas Police Department (DPD), the Dallas City Council has unanimously eliminated the college credit requirement for police recruits. This change aims to enhance hiring efforts amid pressures to maintain a larger police force, as mandated by voters through recent Proposition U.

The DPD currently has slightly more than 3,200 officers, marking the highest number in eight years, but still falling short of the 4,000 officers required under Proposition U. The new hiring policy necessitates that applicants possess at least a high school diploma or GED, in addition to three consecutive years of full-time work experience. The previous prerequisite of having college credits has been removed in an effort to broaden access to the police academy for local residents who may not have pursued higher education.

This change follows a detailed review supported by the police department, with various council members weighing in on the requirements. While District 12 Council Member Cara Mendelsohn indicated that the requirements were carefully considered, Council Member Adam Bazaldua proposed an amendment to reduce the full-time work requirement to just two years. However, this amendment received support from only two of the council members, and the three-year requirement was passed unanimously.

The newly implemented hiring policy is set to operate as a pilot program, with scheduled evaluations at 12, 18, and 24 months to monitor its effectiveness. The council is also considering adjusting the hiring goal to 400 new officers for the 2025 fiscal year, reflecting a focused commitment to rebuilding the department’s ranks.

Recent class enrollment figures signal a potential revival in recruitment, which has faced challenges over the past few years due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The next police academy class (Class 404) commenced on January 15 with 54 recruits, while Class 405 is slated to begin in March, although final enrollment numbers are still in the works. The department is striving to improve its recruitment efforts, competing with other large U.S. cities and North Texas agencies that offer attractive salary packages.

Furthermore, graduates from the police academy will still earn 43 to 45 college credit hours through a partnership with the University of North Texas at Dallas, blending practical training with academic enhancement. This approach aims to prepare motivated individuals for the responsibilities of police work while fostering professional growth.

The Dallas Police Department is currently focused on reversing a sustained trend of declining officer numbers, particularly after peaking near 3,700 officers in 2011. The recent increase in recruits reflects the DPD’s successful recruitment strategies after years of operational challenges and a diminishing workforce. Moving forward, the DPD aims to balance community safety needs while ensuring a well-staffed police force for the Dallas community.