About

Mission

The mission of the Constitutional Policing Unit is to ensure that the Dallas Police Department preserves its integrity by upholding the highest standards of policing – legal, moral, and ethical. For the benefit of Department personnel and Dallas communities, the Unit aims to:

Reinforce the Department's commitment to transparency and continuous improvement; and
Affirm the alignment of the Department's internal controls with applicable standards and recognized effective policing practices.

Vision

The Constitutional Policing Unit is committed to establishing the nation's premier framework for self-assessment and self-correction within a law enforcement agency. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, we strive to strengthen the Dallas Police Department for the future, enhance public safety, and redefine the expectations of law enforcement.

Overview

The Constitutional Policing Unit was established in 2023 and performs five core functions.

Independent Analysis

Partner with internal and external subject matter experts to evaluate the Dallas Police Department's internal controls and, considering applicable standards and recognized effective policing practices, provide recommendations for improvement to the Department's senior leadership.

Implementation

Guide the successful implementation of identified improvements, as approved by the Department's senior leadership.

Monitoring

Ensure sustained adherence to implemented improvements and continuously assess the quality of the Department's internal controls and their alignment with evolving standards and community needs.

Training and Education

Cultivate a culture of continuous learning and develop and implement training programs that enhance the skills, knowledge, and effectiveness of Department personnel.

Officer and Community Engagement

Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including industry thought leaders, to promote open dialogue, remain informed about emerging trends in law enforcement, and identify innovative strategies to advance the Unit's mission.

It is my hope that in the future it becomes standard across all law enforcement agencies to have a compliance bureau charged with bringing in constitutional policing with a direct line to the chief or commissioner of the agency and that is responsible for ensuring the department does not lose its way.

- Honorable James K. Bredar, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland