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City council considers dropping experience requirement to become a Dallas police officer

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City council considers dropping experience requirement to become a Dallas police officer


The city of Dallas is considering reducing the qualifications to become a Dallas police officer. 

But some Dallas City Council members are pushing back on the idea. 

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Right now, to become a Dallas police officer, one needs either college credit, experience in the U.S. Armed Forces or a TCOLE peace officer license. 

Under the new proposal, there would be no experience required. 

For eight years, the Dallas Police Department has struggled to recruit and retain police officers.

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The latest strategy recommended by the city’s civil service board is to allow high school graduates or those with GED to apply with no college credit or experience necessary. 

“We are competing for limited talent with limited interest in a sworn position,” said Jarred Davis with the city’s civil service department. “It’s like sales; the more you put in the funnel, the better results you will have hiring quality candidates on the back end.”

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Right now, there are several paths to becoming a Dallas police officer:

  • one can transfer from another department
  • must have three years of service in the armed forces
  • have 45-60 college credit hours, depending on age, with a 2.0 GPA

“To me, it is not what you are studying, but are you maturing? Having other experiences? You have to show up, earn your grades, work with the instructor,” said Councilwoman Gay Donnell-Willis.

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While applicants can transfer from another department with no college credits, Councilwoman Cara Mendelsohn said their experience with that department would be their qualification. 

“I’m just going to say it. I don’t like this proposal at all,” she said. “I don’t want us to lower our standards for police officers.

While Austin and San Antonio only require a high school diploma or GED, cities like Arlington and Plano require a bachelor’s degree. 

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“This is what the civil service board has supported, and we think this would be a step in the right direction for expanding our reach for recruitment,” Davis said.

Mendelsohn disagreed.

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“We are not talking about any kind of job here that is anyone off the street doing a file clerk job,” she said. “We are giving someone a gun and the ability to kill other people. I won’t support lowering it.”

The public safety committee said there were still too many questions to move the proposal forward to the full city council for a vote. There will be another briefing likely in December. 



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Dallas, TX

Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing

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Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing


Severe thunderstorms are forecast to return to North Texas late Tuesday, bringing threats of damaging hail, high winds and localized flooding. While the primary concerns are wind and hail, a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

Tuesday Forecast

Scattered showers and storms are expected to develop as a dryline to the west moves into the region. Storm conditions are expected to intensify as the day progresses.

The greatest concerns remain damaging winds and large hail. The leading edge of the storm front will likely be the most intense, with the potential for straight-line winds and brief spin-up tornadoes.

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LIVE Radar: Dallas-Fort Worth

Dallas Storms: Timing and Impact

The highest potential for severe weather in the Metroplex is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., though lingering activity could continue until 2 a.m. Wednesday. Residents are advised to seek shelter immediately if a warning is issued for their area.

7-Day Forecast

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A final round of storms is expected Wednesday, primarily between noon and 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. These storms carry a threat of half-dollar-sized hail and damaging winds. 

Behind this system, North Texas will dry out and briefly cool off. Sunny skies return Thursday with a high in the mid-60s. Temperatures will then warm into the upper 70s on Friday before a sunny weekend with highs in the low 80s.

The Source: Information in this article comes from the National Weather Service and FOX 4 forecasters.

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Dallas, TX

How a women-led nonprofit is helping South Dallas residents stay in their homes

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How a women-led nonprofit is helping South Dallas residents stay in their homes




How a women-led nonprofit is helping South Dallas residents stay in their homes – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth



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Dallas weather: Storms return this week with large hail and tornado threat

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Dallas weather: Storms return this week with large hail and tornado threat


North Texans will enjoy a brief break today before the next weather system arrives, bringing multiple rounds of storms. A warmup is on the way, with temperatures climbing back into the mid-80s by the weekend.

Monday Forecast

Following a few morning showers in the eastern counties, expect a warm and breezy Monday. High temperatures will climb into the low 80s under partly cloudy skies.

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Tuesday Forecast

As an upper-level low-pressure system moves to the west, scattered storms will move into the region Tuesday afternoon. Some of these storms could become severe, with the primary threats being large hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes.

Simultaneously, storms are expected to develop ahead of a dryline to the west. While the tornado threat remains low in this area, any storms that form could produce large hail and damaging wind gusts. 

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7-Day Forecast

Those overnight storms should push out to the east by Wednesday morning, but don’t put the umbrella away just yet. As the main weather system moves directly over us Wednesday afternoon, we’ll likely see another round of scattered storms that could still bring with some hail. Once everything finally clears out Wednesday evening, we can look forward to some drier, much more comfortable air moving back into the area.

Thursday will be noticeably cooler, with high temperatures settling in the mid-60s. However, sunshine and a quick warmup are expected by the weekend. Temperatures will rebound into the 80s on Friday and Saturday.

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The Source: Information in this article comes from the National Weather Service and FOX 4 forecasters.

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