Dallas Pd’s $56M In Overtime A Bargain To The City, Police Leaders Say
The Dallas Police Department’s (DPD) overtime budget has experienced a significant increase in recent years, largely driven by staff shortages and the city’s growing population. This trend has caught the attention of Dallas City Council members, who recently took a closer look at the department’s use of overtime hours to ensure accountability.
The department’s overtime usage has skyrocketed, jumping from 78,000 hours in 2011 to an astonishing 732,000 hours annually—a more than 800% increase. Despite these figures, police leaders argue that the overtime costs, while substantial, offer a cost-effective solution compared to hiring additional officers.
Dallas Police Assistant Director Martin Riojas Jr. explained to the council that while hiring more officers could reduce overtime expenses by $4.5 million for every 100 new hires, the overall cost of onboarding those officers—including salary, benefits, and equipment—would amount to $14 million, with an additional $8 million needed for equipment. Thus, the total cost of hiring would far exceed the savings in overtime.
Currently, the DPD’s overtime budget stands at a hefty $56 million. Even if the department were to hire an additional 451 officers, police leaders estimate that with training and associated costs, the figure would reach $113 million. Moreover, in later years, ongoing costs such as pensions, health benefits, and paid time off would add an additional $10 million above the current overtime expenditures.
Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia outlined the department’s goal to have a force of 3,600 officers by 2033. At that time, the department plans to reassess whether this number will be sufficient to meet the city’s needs or if further adjustments will be necessary.
As Dallas continues to grow, the City Council and DPD will need to balance the demands of public safety with the financial realities of managing a large police force.
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