Fort Worth police chief reflects on strategic growth in first 100 days, focusing on accountability, technology, unity, and growth

Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia is reflecting on his first 100 days as Cowtown’s top cop.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Excitement is how Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia describes his first 100 days on the job, a role he said feels like his calling.

“A lot of excitement. Obviously, meeting folks, the rank and file, the community,” Garcia said.

He said returning to a leadership role in policing reaffirmed what he believes he was meant to do.

“I tell people all the time I was born to do this job. I missed it,” Garcia said.

Sworn in on September 16, Garcia became the 28th police chief in Fort Worth’s history. His appointment came amid controversy over a late application submission, but the 54-year-old quickly moved past that and got to work.

“Start going, and it’s been nonstop ever since,” Garcia said.

During his first week, Garcia surprised officers working the night shift, joining them during a food break and then riding along on dispatch calls.

“I could learn a lot from the day-to-day of what these men and women do,” he said, “I want my officers to see me as one of them, because I am.”

Since then, his schedule has been filled with community engagement across the city, including speaking at local marathons, attending church food giveaways, and meeting with neighborhood groups.

“That’s important to really get in and really start building those relationships,” Garcia said.

His first 100 days also include launching a new Constitutional Policing Unit aimed at strengthening officer accountability, adding a new police helicopter, committing to aggressive crime reduction efforts, and taking part in recruitment initiatives. He said the department is on track to reach 1,906 sworn officers, an all-time high.

“We’ll be at the 1906 officers,” Garcia said, “There’s not a major police department in this country that does not deal with internal discipline issues and things of that nature. I think ultimately, again, we hire from the human race, and oftentimes, unfortunately, we’re going to make mistakes.”

Looking ahead, Garcia said growth within the department will continue.

“Growth of the department is going to be tremendous,” he said.

Plans for 2026 include a crime-fighting drone program, enhanced neighborhood patrols, and expanded use of technology. Garcia said artificial intelligence will also play a major role in public safety moving forward.

“I think moving forward, I think AI is going to play a tremendous role,” he said.

Garcia shared that those efforts and making sure officers are properly trained on new technology are all aimed at making Fort Worth a safer city.