If approved, Garcia’s first day as top cop would be Sept. 22.
FORT WORTH, Texas — Fort Worth has extended an offer to Eddie Garcia to become its next police chief, but the compensation package is smaller than what Garcia earned in his recent leadership roles in Austin and the Dallas Police Department.
According to the offer letter, which is contingent on City Council confirmation on Sept. 9, Garcia would make $147.12 per hour, annualized at $306,000. He would also receive a city-issued vehicle for official duties and a $10,000 relocation allowance, repayable on a prorated basis if he leaves Fort Worth within two years.
If approved, Garcia’s first day as top cop would be Sept. 22.
That salary is about $20,000 less than what Garcia was making in Austin, where he accepted a job as assistant city manager earlier this year. Austin’s offer letter set his pay at $12,600 per pay period, or $327,600 annually.
It also falls just below his last contract as Dallas Police Chief, which guaranteed him $306,440.40 annually plus a $20,000 retention incentive. That Dallas deal also ensured Garcia would remain the highest-paid police chief in Texas by automatically boosting his pay above any other chief in a city of more than one million people.
Fort Worth’s offer also includes severance protections. If Garcia is terminated without cause, he would receive 20 weeks of pay — about $117,692 at his current rate. No severance would apply in cases of termination for cause or misconduct.
Garcia replaces Neil Noakes, who retired after 25 years with the department.