Fort Worth police chief Eddie Garcia is marking one year on the job today, taking over a department that had been without a permanent chief for months and stepping into a city experiencing rapid growth and needed changes in public safety.
Garcia became the 28th chief of the Fort Worth Police Department when he was sworn in September 16, 2025.
A year later, Garcia says returning to law enforcement and serving Fort Worth has been an experience he does not take for granted.
“Coming back to law enforcement and serving the residents of Fort Worth this past year has been an incredible experience,” Chief Garcia told WFAA.
He came to Fort Worth after serving as Dallas police chief and later working in Austin city government overseeing public safety. Since taking over in Fort Worth, Garcia has repeatedly emphasized violent crime reductions while acknowledging the department still faces challenges.
WFAA reviewed Fort Worth police crime numbers through August 31. The department reported 36 murders this year compared with 54 during the same period last year. Sexual assaults were down from 312 to 307. Robberies dropped from 436 to 269, while aggravated assaults fell from 1,842 to 1,557.
Garcia has pointed to those numbers as evidence of progress while cautioning that the work continues.
“It’s been a great ride, and I’m grateful every day for the opportunity to be back serving the community I care so deeply about,” the chief said.
Garcia has also overseen FWPD’s expansion of technology, including a network of nearly 300 Flock cameras designed to capture vehicle and license plate information. The cameras do not capture information about a driver’s speed or identity, according to information WFAA obtained from Fort Worth police. The department keeps the vehicle data for 30 days.
Garcia has also talked openly about the challenges of keeping officers on the streets as Fort Worth continues to grow. The department’s budget calls for 1,802 sworn officers.
Most recently, Garcia told WFAA that while violent crime is trending down, he does not view the work as finished.
“There’s no light at the end of the tunnel,” Garcia said. “It’s just another tunnel.”
Garcia has credited the officers and civilian employees of FWPD for the progress made during his first year.
“Most of all, it’s an honor to work alongside the amazing men and women of the Fort Worth Police Department.”
He says their work is what makes the department special.
“Their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to this city are what make this department special, and I’m proud to be part of this team,” Chief Garcia said.