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​First Offender Program

Established in 1974, the Dallas Police Department's First Offender Program (FOP) operates under Texas Family Code Section 52.031. The program has two components:

  • FOP Standard - A voluntary pre-diversion program for first-time juvenile offenders, focused on education and support to prevent further justice system involvement.

  • FOP Runaway/At-Risk Initiative - Provides education and outreach to runaways or crisis-involved youths and their families. (Started in September 2021)

Both components offer education and resources to address underlying issues, aiming to prevent future police involvement and reduce recidivism through effective case management by caseworkers.

FOP Standard: 

  • Program Enrollment Criteria:
    • ​First time offend​ers between the age of 10-16 who have committed Class A or B misdemeanors as well as State Jail Felonies (except for offenses involving assaults or weapons)
    • Parental cooperation/agreement to participate in Program.
    • Must be enrolled in school.
  • Program Phases:
    • Intake - Initial Assessment (face to face meeting) Parent/guardian and youth must agree to participate and follow program expectations. Check-ins, referrals, and school requirements are explained and monitored throughout the program.
    • Direct - Six weeks in-person skill-based classroom. Parent/guardian and their youth attend one session per week for six weeks, focusing on skill-based education to help prevent future police involvement.
    • ​90 Day waiting Period - Parent/guardian and their youth will continue to follow program rules and responsibilities for the next 90 days.
    • Successful completion - No court petition or record.
    • Failure to complete or rejection from program - Referred to Juvenile Department for court action.

FOP Runaway/ At-Risk:

  • Program Overview:

    1. FOP contacts all youth from closed runaway cases to offer education and resources.

    2. ​Families can also reach out directly for support and guidance with their youth.​

  • Program Data:
    • Standard FOP:
      • Program Completion Rate (2022-2024):
        • ​83.7% 
    • Recidivism Rates (2021-2023)
      • ​87.1 % of youths who completed the program remained offense-free for 3 years
      • ​47.83% of rejected youths reoffended within 3 years
      • ​Overall program participants show an overall success rate over 85%, with significantly lower recidivism than non-participants.
  • FOP Runaway:
    • ​Cases Managed (2022-2024): over 3,300




Contact us:

Manager Suellen Flores​​ - 214-671-4271