Dallas hosts Q&A livestream with police chief finalists

DALLAS - A virtual interview for the finalists hoping to be the next Dallas police chief showed where the candidates stand on issues plaguing the city.

The seven finalists for Dallas police chief shared what they would do to reduce violent crime and improve the relationship between police and the community.

They responded to questions based on topics identified in public forums.

Three of the candidates are currently with the Dallas Police Department – Major Malik Aziz, Deputy Chief Reuben Ramirez and Assistant Police Chief Avery Moore.

The other four are chiefs elsewhere. They include Rashall Brackney, the police chief in Charlottesville, Virginia, Albert Martinez, the director of security for the Dallas Catholic Diocese, Eddie Garcia, the police chief in San Jose, California and Jeff Spivey, the Irving police chief.

RELATED: Dallas interviewing 7 candidates for police chief position

The current chief, Renee Hall, announced her resignation in September. She leaves at the end of the month after leading the department for three years.

A survey of thousands of Dallas residents found reducing violent crime is the number one quality they’re looking for in the next police chief.

Dallas has had more than 225 homicides so far this year, which is nearly 40 more than last year.

A virtual interview for the finalists hoping to be the next Dallas police chief showed where the candidates stand on issues plaguing the city.

The seven finalists for Dallas police chief shared what they would do to reduce violent crime and improve the relationship between police and the community.

With Dallas' murder rate at its highest in 16 years, the candidates, for the most part, agreed on the major drivers of crime, but some disagreed on how to best address it.

“Drug trade, gangs in this city,” DPD Major Aziz said.

“Poverty, lack of educational opportunities, addiction, lack of services for mental health,” Irving Police Chief Spivey said.

But DPD Assistant Chief Moore added another aspect...

“After the George Floyd event, violent crime went up. There was a lack of trust,” he said.

Moore said if there is no trust, there are no tips. 

“I believe there is not a single homicide in this city that someone did not know about before it happened, while it was happening or shortly after,” he added.

There were differences of opinion about how to reduce crime, with San Jose Police Chief Garcia advocating for hot spot policing.

“ID where criminal networks meet and disrupt them there. That a Band-Aid on the issue. Long-term is intelligence based policing,” he said.

DPD Deputy Chief Ramirez, on the other hand, said the city needs to end the hot spot policing practice

“Our communities of color have spoken loud and clear they don't want to feel over policed. We have models, we don't have to look for people doing something wrong, just be in the area and be available,” he explained.

LINK: www.dallascitynews.net/latest-information-regarding-dpd-chief-search