Eddie Garcia sworn in as 28th police chief of Fort Worth

Eddie Garcia sworn in as 28th police chief of Fort Worth

Published on September 16, 2025

Eddie Garcia took the oath of office on Tuesday, becoming Fort Worth's 28th police chief following City Council's approval of a resolution confirming the appointment.

"It's an exciting day in Fort Worth," said Mayor Mattie Parker. "Chief Garcia, you're inheriting an amazing police department. And we know you want to make it even better."

Over a career spanning decades, Garcia has built a national reputation for driving reform, enhancing public trust and delivering operational excellence. Garcia, most recently assistant city manager in Austin, has a track record of improving relations between police and diverse communities similar to those in Fort Worth.

Garcia has consistently led large-city departments to embrace 21st-century policing principles before public pressure demanded it. His strategic vision, commitment to sound and unbiased policing, and ability to foster internal and external trust have positioned him as a transformative figure in American law enforcement.

The police chief is one of the most critical positions for the City's leadership team, overseeing a department of 1,896 sworn officers and 574 professional staff members. City Manager Jay Chapa selected Garcia to be the next chief after a robust recruitment and interview process.

Garcia's first day on the job is Wednesday, Sept. 17.

About Eddie Garcia

Garcia is a distinguished municipal and law enforcement executive who served as chief of police in both San Jose, California, and Dallas, Texas - two of the nation's largest and most complex urban policing environments.

Originally from Puerto Rico and raised in San Jose's Berryessa neighborhood, Garcia overcame the challenges of moving from his childhood home, language barriers and socioeconomic adversity. These formative experiences shaped his deep empathy and commitment to public service, instilling a belief in the power of opportunity and the responsibility of leadership to guide and uplift others.

Garcia's leadership philosophy centers on proactive community engagement and disciplined operational performance. As assistant chief in San Jose, he played a pivotal role in rebuilding the department following a crisis sparked by pension reform, which led to the significant loss of sworn personnel. Through collaborative problem-solving and strategic labor partnerships, he helped restore morale, reform benefits and rebuild staffing levels.

Appointed as chief of police in San Jose, Garcia led multiple innovative initiatives to strengthen public trust, including the development of a groundbreaking academy course, "Policing in the Current Political and Social Climate," in partnership with San Jose State University. This course emphasized historical context and racial equity in policing.

As chief of police in Dallas, Garcia expanded reform through transparency and innovation. He launched a public Use of Force Dashboard, implemented policy reviews in alignment with the Sandra Bland Act and introduced a comprehensive crime plan that contributed to four consecutive years of violent crime reduction. He also established a Community Advisory Board, modernized the department's promotional process and strengthened officer support through a new Wellness Unit and expanded professional development programs.

After retiring from active law enforcement, Garcia accepted a new challenge in Austin, where he served as the city's public safety executive. In this role, he had strategic oversight and coordination across the Police, Fire, EMS, Homeland Security and Emergency Management departments.

Photo at top: City Manager Jay Chapa presents the badge to Chief Eddie Garcia.

Photos above: Chief Eddie Garcia takes the oath of office at Fort Worth City Hall and addresses residents.

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