The Fort Worth Police Department has introduced a new initiative designed to enhance accountability and build public trust. Announced by Police Chief Eddie García on December 2, 2025, the Constitutional Policing Unit will conduct regular audits of police practices to ensure compliance with legal, moral, and ethical standards.
This initiative is modeled after one García implemented in 2023 while leading the Dallas Police Force. It marks a significant change in Fort Worth’s approach to policing, particularly since García’s appointment as chief in September 2025. “This is about strengthening trust and accountability within the Fort Worth Police Department and what we’re currently doing,” García stated during a presentation to the City Council’s public safety committee.
The unit will initially comprise three members: a civilian director, a police lieutenant to coordinate with the department, and a part-time criminologist. García anticipates hiring the civilian director in January 2026. This team will conduct structured reviews of police policies, training, operations, and internal controls, utilizing monthly and quarterly data assessments to track trends and develop corrective action plans.
Alex del Carmen, the appointed criminologist for the unit, emphasized the importance of internal oversight. “You want to make sure that the organization itself is measuring the work that it’s doing and making sure that it is proactive,” he explained. The new unit will work in conjunction with the Office of the Police Oversight Monitor (OPOM), established in 2020 to enhance accountability to residents. While the OPOM reports to City Manager Jay Chapa, the Constitutional Policing Unit will report directly to García.
During a press conference, OPOM director Bonycle Sokunbi highlighted the proactive nature of this initiative. “You’re now going to have a police department that can look you in the face and say, ‘We know what we’re doing, and we’re doing it well,’” Sokunbi told reporters. The unit aims to ensure that police operations align with department policies and identify areas that may require adjustments.
The launch of the unit comes at a time when police accountability remains a pressing issue in Fort Worth, particularly following high-profile encounters involving law enforcement and communities of color throughout the 2010s. There has been a sustained community push for citizen-led oversight since 2018, when the Race and Culture Task Force recommended the establishment of such a board. This task force was created in response to the mistreatment of Jacqueline Craig by police in 2016, with the aim of rebuilding trust between law enforcement and marginalized communities.
Despite efforts to create a citizen-led oversight board, a City Council vote in 2022 rejected this proposal, a decision supported by García’s predecessor, Neil Noakes. Upon his appointment, García expressed openness to the idea of a citizen-led board but indicated his preference to first consult with Sokunbi.
The establishment of the Constitutional Policing Unit aligns with a broader trend towards internal accountability within law enforcement agencies. García, Sokunbi, and del Carmen believe that this approach will not only reduce operational and reputational risks but also help Fort Worth align with best practices adopted by police departments nationwide.
As the city moves forward with this initiative, the commitment to transparency and proactive measures may help reshape the relationship between the Fort Worth Police Department and the communities it serves.
