The Dallas Police Department (DPD) has exceeded its annual recruiting goal, hiring 330 recruits and officers between October 2024 and September 2025.
The number surpassed the target of 300 officers set earlier this year by the City Council, according to the report given by department officials.
Deputy Chief Jordan Colunga presented the update on Oct. 14 to the Dallas Public Safety Committee, which oversees police, fire, and emergency management operations.
The announcement came amid broader challenges for city public safety, including a police and fire pension funding crisis and operational changes following two voter-approved charter amendments, Propositions S and U, last year.
Committee members praised the milestone, citing it as evidence that recent marketing and recruitment strategies are producing results.
According to DPD data, most applicants were drawn through the city’s website (22%), officer referrals (19%), and social media (19%). To attract candidates, the Recruiting Team expanded outreach through college and military transition centers, community and career fairs, parades, gyms, and digital advertising on platforms such as Meta and streaming services. Recruiters also engaged with 94 schools and colleges and participated in 247 events across 38 states.
Colunga also credited a rise in referral-based applicants to the Uniformed Referral Pilot Program, launched in October 2024. The program offers tiered bonuses — $1,000 at academy graduation, $1,000 at probation completion, and $3,000 at a recruit’s third year of service. To date, 53 applicants have joined through officer referrals.
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