In a step toward strengthening public safety and building a more representative police force, the Dallas Police Department has launched Academy Class 408 — the second-largest class in the department’s history.
Of the 77 recruits, 75 are new hires and two are returning officers. This makes Class 408 the second largest in DPD history, following Class 368 in 2019, which enrolled 82 trainees.
The new officer trainees represent not only a significant boost in numbers, but also a milestone in the department’s push for diversity and excellence in policing.
Significantly, Class 408 also includes the second-highest number of female recruits in department history. Twenty of the trainees are women — a strong showing as the department continues its push for broader representation in law enforcement.
“We’re proud of the department’s efforts to attract recruits that represent a cross section of the community,” said Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert. “This is an important step toward meeting our police hiring goals and honoring public safety as one of our residents’ top priorities.”
Military service is another standout feature of the new class. Among the recruits are six former U.S. Marines and four former U.S. Army soldiers — individuals bringing with them a wealth of experience, leadership, and discipline that will be instrumental as they transition into policing roles.
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“Our team exceeded our hiring goal to close out this fiscal year because people around the country, and around the world, want to come to work for the most proactive police department in America,” said Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux. “We’re making Dallas the safest big city, and these recruits want to help make that happen.”
The department’s momentum doesn’t end with Class 408. In the 2024–2025 fiscal year to date, DPD has hired a total of 329 applicants, including eight rehired officers who previously served in other jurisdictions.
As Class 408 begins its 10-month training program, department leadership voiced strong confidence in the group’s potential to represent the future of Dallas policing — a future defined by service, skill, and a deep commitment to community.
