X
Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes announced that he will retire in May of next year.
Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes announced Monday that he will retire in 2025, capping a 25-year career with the city.
Noakes joined the Fort Worth Police Department as a patrol officer out of the city's police academy but rose through the ranks to become chief in 2021. His tenure as chief was defined by community engagement and innovative leadership, city leaders said.
“This is a very bittersweet announcement,” Noakes said at a news conference on Monday afteroon. “I’ve been fortunate to work for the best police department in the world with the best people. After prayerful thought and conversations with my family, I’ve decided it’s time to step away and focus on being the best husband, father, and grandfather I can be.”
Noakes emphasized that his decision was driven by a desire to prioritize his faith and family.
“This isn’t about leaving for another job,” he said. “It’s about embracing the next chapter of my life.”
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and City Manager David Cooke joined Noakes at the news conference. They praised his leadership, dedication to the city, and his accomplishments as chief.
“Chief Noakes embodies what it means to serve with integrity and heart,” Parker said, fighting through tears. “While we will miss his leadership, we celebrate his decision to prioritize his family and look forward to his continued involvement in our community.”
The decision comes shortly after the city announced the hiring of Jay Chapa as David Cooke's successor as city manager. Cooke previously announced his plans to retire at the start of 2025. The City Council is scheduled to vote on Chapa's appointment at its meeting on Tuesday. The timing of Noakes' decision and Chapa's anticipated hire is believed to be coincidental.
Cooke, who appointed Noakes as chief in 2021, described the decision as a “no-risk choice” at the time. Cooke credited Noakes for uniting the department and engaging with Fort Worth’s diverse population.
During his tenure, Noakes played a pivotal role in shaping the relationship between the police department and the city’s police oversight office, established in 2020. Though he collaborated with oversight directors Kim Neal and Bonycle Sokunbi, he resisted calls for a civilian oversight board, arguing that its work would largely overlap with and be redundant to the oversight office. A majority of the City Council agreed with him, voting down a proposal to create a civilian board in November 2022.
Noakes served in a variety of roles with the department, including deputy chief. He has spearheaded several efforts during his three-year stint as chief, including an officer wellness initiative. Under his leadership, the department has also faced several challenges, including most recently the disclosure of an extensive backlog of sexual assault testing kits that, he said, totaled more than 1,200 missed state-mandated test deadlines over the past five years. Under his leadership, the department faced scrutiny of its vehicle chase policy.
He said at the news conference that he intended for the testing kits backlog to be brought up to date by the time he leaves.
“Fort Worth is in good hands,” Noakes said, expressing confidence in the city’s current leadership and police department. “It has been the highlight of my professional life to serve on this amazing team. I’m not going anywhere; I’ll always support this city.”
More recently, Noakes guided the department through a tragic incident this summer involving the death of Sgt. Billy Randolph, who was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver while responding to a vehicle crash on Interstate 35W.
“The sacrifices made by Chief Noakes and his family over the years have not gone unnoticed,” Parker said. “He leaves our city and department stronger than ever, and we are profoundly grateful for his service.”
