HOUSTON – After the retirement of Houston Police Chief Troy Finner and the appointment of Larry Satterwhite as the acting chief, law enforcement sources have told KPRC 2 Investigates about a potential candidate being eyed for the role of HPD Chief.
Multiple sources say the city is eying Dallas Police Chief Edgardo “Eddie” Garcia as a potential candidate to fill the role.
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Garcia has spent 32 years in law enforcement and was appointed in 2021 as chief in Dallas.
According to the Dallas Police Department website, Garcia is the first Latino to serve in the position in the department’s 140-year history. Garcia is originally from Puerto Rico and was with the San Jose Police Department for 29 years prior to coming to Dallas.
The Dallas interim city manager, Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, released a statement acknowledging that other Texas cities have been expressing an interest in Garcia. While not saying Houston is one of those cities outright, she delivered a message saying “turn around and go back home.”
Garcia is not the only candidate whose name has come up to KPRC 2 Investigates. Other officials, including some from the Austin and Waco areas, have been floated as potential candidates as well.
Mayor John Whitmire told KPRC 2 Wednesday he has not yet made a decision about whether he plans to hire a chief from within the department or externally.
Read the full statement from Dallas Interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert below:
“It’s no surprise that other Texas cities are expressing interest in Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia. He has been the key leader who has delivered a lower crime rate to Dallas, and he has helped increase police morale while boosting residents’ confidence in the direction of the department.
Obviously, City Council members and I want to keep him in Dallas doing a good job. It will take flexibility, creativity with a hefty dose of accountability to accomplish that, but we are working tirelessly to develop solutions. I believe Chief Gracia wants to remain here.
To the cities shopping in Dallas for a new chief, I have one message for you: ‘turn around and go back home.’ In the meantime, I will keep the City Council and the public informed about the progress on these issues.”