Dallas' Eddie Garcia Heading Major Cities Chiefs Association

Dallas police Chief Eddie García has been elected president of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, an organization of police executives from across the U.S. and Canada. The position, effective immediately, places Dallas’ top cop at the helm of an organization that brings together law enforcement leaders from many of the largest cities in North America to discuss ideas, strategies and research, and also advocate for public safety policies and funding from government officials, reports the Dallas Morning News. The group is meeting in Dallas in the coming days at the same time as the International Association of Chiefs of Police. “I wouldn’t have even been considered for this if not for the amazing work (of) our men and women and the support we receive from both our city government and our neighborhoods,” García said. García has been Dallas’ police chief since Feb. 3, 2021, after he served as top cop for five years in San Jose, Ca. .He has said he hopes to remain Dallas’ chief for five years. Shortly after he arrived, he implemented a multipronged violent crime plan in partnership with criminologists at the University of Texas at San Antonio. City officials credit him for overseeing a decline in overall violent crime in Dallas, although homicides and robberies are slightly up this year. In March, he testified for the group to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, where he advocated for federal prosecutions, resources for law enforcement and more funding and grants to combat violent crime nationwide.