Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes
FORT WORTH, Texas - The Fort Worth Police Department’s top cop will step down after 25 years on the job.
Chief Neil Noakes announced his plan to retire in May of 2025.
Noakes began his law enforcement career with Fort Worth PD in May of 2000.
He was appointed chief in 2021.
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Neil Noakes, who has worked at the department since 2000, replaces outgoing chief Ed Kraus.
The chief said his decision was not easy. He called it bittersweet.
Noakes also said he wants to put to rest any rumors that he's accepting a job somewhere else.
"I do know this is not to leave for another job. I have no job offers. I have no idea what I'm going to do. For me to be the husband and father that I want to be, I have to step away from this position," he said.
The city of Dallas is also looking for a new police chief following the retirement of Chief Eddie Garcia.
Garcia ended up moving to Austin and is now the assistant city manager under his old boss, former Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax.