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David Brown

The 2017 Award Recipient

Dallas Police Chief David O. Brown

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The Maguire Ethics Center was delighted to award Dallas Chief of Police David O. Brown, a  33-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department and the department’s longest-serving chief in modern times, the 2017 J. Erik Jonsson Ethics Award. 

Brown was sworn in as Dallas’ 28th police chief in May 2010, commanding a department with more than 4,000 employees and an annual operating budget of $426 million dollars. Brown has announced he will retire Oct. 4, three months after bravely helping to lead the city through the anguished days following the ambush shooting deaths of five police officers.

Building and maintaining strong, transparent relationships with the community has been Brown’s focus since he took the top position. During his tenure, Brown transitioned the department to a community-policing focused organization and implemented policies and training to ensure citizen and officer safety. He also expanded several community outreach programs and youth centered programs.

Brown implemented policies and training to ensure citizen and officer safety during interactions, and emphasized the importance of de-escalation training for his officers. Under Brown’s leadership, the Dallas Police Department reduced the use of deadly force by more than 40 percent and reduced excessive force complaints by more than 80 percent.

“This award recognizes those who face hard decisions and whose mettle is tested,” says Rita Kirk, Director of the Maguire Ethics Center.

“Chief Brown personifies the struggle of leaders trying to do the right thing during periods of intense pressure. Our community is stronger because of his leadership, particularly in the wake of recent events. His actions during those days not only reflected the character of our community to other cities around the world who watched, but also left us united, stronger, and more hopeful that we will overcome any obstacle to make this a better city for all our citizens.”