| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Edgardo Garcia has rendered outstanding service as |
|
|
chief of the Dallas Police Department; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, A native of Puerto Rico, Eddie Garcia became the |
|
|
department's first Latino chief in 2021; he swiftly implemented |
|
|
measures that resulted in a 12 percent decrease in violent |
|
|
street-level crime; during summer 2022, a season when urban crime |
|
|
typically rises, overall violent crime declined by nearly three |
|
|
percent; his data-driven initiatives include hot spot policing, |
|
|
place network investigations to disrupt criminal groups, and |
|
|
focused deterrence, a long-term project to alter the behavior of |
|
|
high-risk offenders through a combination of arrests, community |
|
|
engagement, and social services; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Chief Garcia developed strategies with input from |
|
|
criminologists, city leaders, local residents, and members of the |
|
|
police department; emphasizing the importance of involving |
|
|
stakeholders, he has continued to seek feedback from the wider |
|
|
community through listening sessions and other forms of outreach; |
|
|
and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Known for his energetic, hands-on style and |
|
|
commitment to 21st-century policing methods, Chief Garcia built his |
|
|
sterling reputation over the course of a 29-year career with the San |
|
|
Jose Police Department in California; he joined the force as an |
|
|
officer in 1992, and as he rose through the ranks, he gained |
|
|
experience in numerous areas, from patrol, narcotics, and emergency |
|
|
response to homicide investigations; named chief in 2016, he worked |
|
|
tirelessly to develop community trust, increase transparency, and |
|
|
maintain proactive operations while embracing fair, impartial |
|
|
constitutional policing; he significantly increased minority |
|
|
recruiting as well; bilingual himself, he implemented instruction |
|
|
in basic Spanish in the police academy and launched a |
|
|
Spanish-language Facebook page; he holds a bachelor's degree in |
|
|
criminal justice management from Union Institute and University and |
|
|
studied administration of justice at De Anza College; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Chief Garcia has made a tremendous positive impact |
|
|
in Dallas through his vision, expertise, and steadfast dedication |
|
|
to public safety, and his accomplishments have earned the deep |
|
|
admiration and appreciation of his colleagues and fellow citizens |
|
|
alike; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby honor Dallas Police Chief Edgardo "Eddie" Garcia |
|
|
for his service and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued |
|
|
success in his vital endeavors; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for Chief Garcia as an expression of high regard by the |
|
|
Texas House of Representatives. |