Constitutional Policing Unit

Our mission is to ensure that the Dallas Police Department preserves its integrity by upholding the highest standards of policing - legal, moral, and ethical.

Methods

Strategic Reviews

Strategic Reviews are broad evaluations of systems-level functions, aimed at ensuring relevant regulations, procedures, operations, and trainings align with applicable standards and recognized effective policing practices. Each review employs a methodological approach and leverages internal and external subject matter expertise. These reviews culminate in a written report submitted to the Chief of Police, outlining key findings and corresponding recommendations for improvement. The Constitutional Policing Unit then guides the implementation of approved improvements.

Limited Scope Reviews

Limited Scope Reviews are focused evaluations of a specific command level—such as a Group, Division, Section, or Unit—aimed at ensuring relevant regulations, procedures, operations, and trainings align with applicable standards and recognized effective policing practices. Each review employs a methodological approach and leverages internal and external subject matter expertise. These reviews culminate in a written report submitted to the Chief of Police, outlining key findings and corresponding recommendations for improvement. The Constitutional Policing Unit then guides the implementation of approved improvements.

Data Reviews

The Constitutional Policing Unit, in collaboration with subject matter experts, collects, analyzes, and reports statistical information to identify patterns and trends, ensure compliance with applicable standards, and support data-driven decision-making. This includes Motor Vehicle Stop Data Reviews conducted on a weekly, quarterly, and annual basis to uphold the racial profiling data requirements outlined in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 2B. 

Inspections

Inspections are targeted assessments of a specific command level—such as a Group, Division, Section, or Unit—conducted to ensure compliance with applicable standards, regulations, and procedures. These include the City of Dallas Personnel Rules, City of Dallas Administrative Directives, Dallas Police Department General Orders, and departmental standard operating procedures. Inspections culminate in a written report submitted to the Inspection Subject Commander, outlining key findings and corresponding recommendations for improvement. The Constitutional Policing Unit then guides the implementation of approved improvements.

Material Inventories

Material Inventories support the accountable management of the Dallas Police Department’s monetary assets and the proper storage and handling of property and evidence. These inventories include routine cash counts and the verification and secure destruction of drugs and firearms stored in the Property Room.

Special Initiatives

The Constitutional Policing Unit provides timely guidance through a constitutional policing lens while also leading long-term projects geared toward cultivating a culture of continuous learning. Special Initiatives include preparing Executive Briefings on emerging issues and ongoing challenges, reviewing proposed internal regulations, developing and implementing training programs, and executing activities to uphold the Dallas Police Department’s internal control system in alignment with applicable regulations, including City of Dallas Administrative Directive 4-09.