DALLAS — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Dallas officials, alleging the city is not complying with a voter-approved amendment requiring the city to hire 4,000 police officers and increase wages.
The lawsuit centers on two “HERO” amendments approved by Dallas voters in 2024. “Proposition U” requires the city to maintain a minimum of 4,000 police officers and mandates that 50% of all new revenue go toward police and fire pensions. “Proposition S” gives residents the right to sue the city for failing to comply.
Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux said the department currently has 3,307 officers, leaving it nearly 700 officers short of the 4,000-officer requirement. In mid-February, more than 100 Dallas police officers received promotions — a move Comeaux said reflects ongoing hiring efforts.
“This is a large group that’s being promoted. One of the reasons why such a large group is because of the amount of officers that we’re hiring,” Comeaux said.
Despite the shortfall, Comeaux noted the department has reached a historic high in staffing.
“Right now, in 2026, we have more officers than we’ve ever had here in Dallas,” he said.
Paxton’s lawsuit argues the city has failed to immediately comply with the amendment’s funding and staffing mandates. In a statement, Paxton reiterated that the will of the people must be followed.
“When voters demand more funding for law enforcement, local officials must immediately comply,” Paxton said.
The city has taken what officials describe as a steady approach to implementation. The new fiscal budget raises officers’ salaries from $75,000 to $81,000 and approves the hiring of 350 additional officers in 2026. In late-February, the Dallas City Council adopted a new “Meet and Confer” short term agreement with the city’s police and fire-rescue associations, allowing them to negotiate more competitive pay and incentives as they work on solidifying a more long-term option.
Comeaux said community support has played a key role in recruitment and retention.
“A lot of cities, they kind of don’t want the police around,” said Comeaux. “They only want the police around when they call, and Dallas is not like that. Dallas is reaching out to me saying, ‘What can we do to help you keep us safe?’ And that’s amazing.”
With a focus on increasing recruitment efforts and retaining veteran officers, Comeaux said he believes the department will meet — and potentially exceed — its hiring target.
“The goal was to hire 350. It’s my goal to blow that 350 away, and I’m pretty sure we will,” Comeaux said.