Veteran Police Officer Michael Igo has recently taken over the Dallas Police Department as interim police chief while the city looks for a replacement.
On Monday, Igo made his first appearance since he took over the department last week. Since assuming the role, he has promoted more than 42 Dallas police officers.
“This is another step in the department, building future leaders, and it’s an opportunity for newly promoted senior corporals, sergeants, and lieutenants to get out in the field and be future leaders of this department. It’s an exciting time for the department,” Igo said in an interview.
Igo takes over the role with more than 33 years of service in the Dallas Police force. He rose in the ranks and was previously the executive assistant chief before being appointed as interim chief.
The move comes after former Chief of Police Eddie Garcia left Dallas PD and moved to Austin to assume a new administrative position overseeing the capital city’s public safety.
In his first public interview, Igo said he is “very excited, very honored to be the interim chief of the Dallas Police Department, so yes, very excited.”
Igo also acknowledged the staffing issues within Dallas PD, saying the department is “working on our recruiting and retention, which is, I know, tied to one of the amendments. And our team is working very hard to recruit in the department.”
Currently, voters are being asked to vote on a number of amendments to the Dallas City Charter, one of which would require the city to add around 1,000 police officers to the Dallas Police Department, increase police officers’ salaries, and improve the Dallas police and fire pension system.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and Interim City Manager Kimberly Tolbert are continuing their search for a new chief who will achieve their goal of “making Dallas the safest major city in America.”
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