Eddie Garcia
Cowtown has looked east to find its new chief of police. City manager Jay Chapa announced Thursday that former Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia will replace former Police Chief Neil Noakes.
Garcia previously served as Dallas Police Chief from 2021 to 2024, when he announced his retirement from law enforcement and took on an assistant city manager role in Austin, where he's been overseeing public safety.
The search for a new leader of Fort Worth’s law enforcement department began shortly after Noakes announced his retirement in February — he’d ultimately leave the post on May 30. According to the city, the process included input from the local community, civic leaders, police command staff, and police associations. According to the news release, and as first reported by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the city received more than 50 applications for the position. Garcia was one of four finalists, which included Interim Chief Robert Alldredge.
Garcia brings over 30 years of law enforcement experience to Fort Worth and has twice led large metropolitan police departments; prior to serving as Dallas’ Police Chief, he served as the Police Chief of San Jose’s Police Department from 2016 to 2021.
According to their website, the Fort Worth Police Department currently has nearly 1,900 sworn peace officers. According to FBI Crime Data, Fort Worth’s violent crime rate had hit an all-time high in 1992, when its rate was more than double the national average. However, since 1995, the crime rate has steadily and substantially dropped yet remains above the national average.
Following his retirement from law enforcement, Noakes joined the American Warrior Association as chief of strategic advancement.
The city will officially announce Garcia as the department’s new Police Chief at a press conference scheduled for Friday.
