Fort Worth’s new police chief Eddie Garcia has hit the ground running in his first 100 days, making staffing his top priority while pledging to have the department “fully staffed” by the end of next year — though he acknowledges that goal comes with an asterisk.
“We hope to be at full staffing by the end of next year, but I always talk about full staffing in quotes because everyone recognizes that we have to continue to grow as a department, so I would say staffing,” Garcia told reporters during a milestone press conference.
Building Trust While Fighting Crime
The department has already made significant progress on the recruitment front. Fort Worth PD received nearly 4,000 applications in 2025 and currently has 1,728 of 1,906 positions filled — a boost that many attribute to a popular recruitment video featuring Chief Garcia that went viral in policing circles and generated unexpected interest.
Garcia’s approach to law enforcement blends tough-on-crime tactics with community sensitivity. He’s made it clear that while his department will cooperate with federal authorities on criminal cases, officers won’t be acting as immigration agents.
“At the end of the day, we’re blind to immigration status. If you’re involved in criminal activity, and you’re on that immigration radar, there’s not much we’re going to be able to do about that,” Garcia explained when outlining his policing philosophy.
What’s behind this balanced approach? Garcia credits his time away from active policing, which gave him perspective on how city departments interconnect.
“Solidified the fact that we’re part of a greater team and that one department’s success helps the other,” he noted when discussing lessons learned during his career trajectory.
World Cup Preparations Underway
Looking ahead, the department faces a major security challenge with the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to the region. The chief isn’t taking any chances — he’s already announced that all leave will be canceled for Fort Worth Police Department staff during the international tournament.
It’s a sweeping move that reflects both the scale of the security operation and Garcia’s no-nonsense management style.
“We’re going to do everything in our power to ensure it’s a safe event for all. We also have cities we have to protect in the middle of the summer, which is usually a busier time,” Garcia testified in a recent security briefing.
The staffing push couldn’t come at a better time given these upcoming demands. With applications flooding in and positions filling up, Garcia’s recruitment efforts appear to be bearing fruit just when the department needs it most.
But can the department maintain this momentum? The chief’s strategy of balancing community trust with tough enforcement will face its ultimate test as Fort Worth continues to grow and face new challenges.
For now, Garcia seems confident that his blueprint — more officers, clear priorities, and a team-oriented approach — will position Fort Worth for a safer future, one recruit at a time.
