Dallas Chief Reneé Hall resigns citing undisclosed opportunity

Dallas Police Chief Reneé Hall announced Tuesday her resignation as Chief of Police in the City of Dallas. Hall initially informed City Manager T.C. Broadnax she would serve through November 10. The manager, however, asked Hall to remain and continue leading the Dallas Police Department through the end of the year, and she has agreed to stay.

Hall’s resignation comes three years after her first day of service in Dallas on September 5, 2017. She has delivered, as promised, on her pledge to stay true to the principles of Community Policing – advancing reforms and changes within DPD that reflect national 21st Century Policing Initiatives and the commitments outlined in Broadnax’s R.E.A.L. Change program. Hall is the City’s first female police chief.

The Dallas City Manager, who has frequently underscored his support for Hall, was quick to tout her leadership at DPD.

“When you review Chief Hall’s Dallas record, there aren’t enough superlatives to describe the impact she’s had here,” said Broadnax. “While Dallas, like cities nationwide, is struggling with violent crime, our overall crime rate is down, and Chief Hall created long-term tools and partnerships that will help keep Dallas safe in the future. Additionally, she fought for change in processes, rules and protocols within DPD that successfully put us on the path to best in class 21st Century Policing.”

The DPD Blog has been updated with a post outlining Hall’s leadership successes in Crime Reduction, Procedures and General Order Reforms, Technology Improvements, Recruitment and Retention, Officer Advancement, Organizational Effectiveness, and Community Partnerships. Some highlights among reforms and changes under her leadership include:

In 2020, as of today, the overall crime rate is down 3.98 percent.
Multiple changes to General Orders including an overhaul of the City’s Use of Force procedures; mandates requiring officers to warn before firing a weapon; a Duty to Intervene if any department member witnesses inappropriate police behavior; and numerous changes to DPD’s protocols for handling peaceful protests including a prohibition of less than lethal force munitions against demonstrators.
Implemented the Dallas Online Reporting System (DORS), an online program enabling residents to make property-related offense reports online.
Hall implemented massive changes in the department’s marketing materials and outreach to new recruits. Nationwide, officers are leaving the profession – but in Dallas the attrition rate is the lowest it’s been since 2014.
Improvement of community relationships including the creation of Community Advisory Boards; simplified officer complaint process; and increase to 24 percent of Latino officers in the department. Chief Hall, City Manager Broadnax and the City Council also worked to establish the Office of Community Oversight. In addition, she created a full-time LGBTQ Liaison at DPD.
Formation, with the Caruth Police Institute, of a robust Implicit Bias Training and Curriculum for members of the department.
Updates and revisions to the Patrol Standard Operating Procedures Manual which had not been updated since 2010 and the renovation of the Property Crimes Investigative procedure manuals, last updated in 2003.
Hall prioritized changes improving officer health and well-being by reopening the Headquarters’ Gym and developing Career Enrichment programs. She also implemented simulator training to assist in helping officers make better split-second decisions. Lastly, she offered Critical Incident Days for officers who experienced a work-related traumatic incident.

Further Hall accomplishments can be viewed at the DPD Blog.

The Chief informed Broadnax in a letter delivered Tuesday afternoon, then she immediately called a meeting of her Command Staff and shared her decision.

“Chief Hall refuses to boast or take credit for her leadership actions,” said Jon Fortune, Dallas’ Assistant City Manager of Public Safety. “I hate to see her go, and am hopeful she will continue with the same grit and resolve to get things done, improving residents’ safety and changing the current image many have about policing.”