Dallas, Texas – The Dallas Police Department announced a new partnership with two local universities that will begin in the fall of 2026. The collaboration is designed to strengthen the department’s Violent Crime Reduction Plan by bringing research and training home to Dallas.
University of Texas at Dallas leads hotspot analysis
Under the agreement, the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) will take primary responsibility for analyzing violent‑crime hotspots. Using a grid system that divides the city into roughly 330‑square‑foot zones, UTD researchers will track and review locations where violent incidents concentrate. The department says this data‑driven approach has already helped reduce violent crime year over year since the plan’s inception in 2021.
UNT‑Dallas converts findings into training
The University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT‑Dallas) will translate the research into tailored training courses for Dallas Police Department (DPD) personnel. Courses will be customized for officers at all career stages – from rank‑and‑file patrol officers to front‑line supervisors and command staff – as well as for professional staff members who support daily operations.
Chief Comeaux emphasizes community partnership
“Bringing this partnership home to Dallas reflects the strong collaboration between DPD and our community,” said Chief of Police Daniel C. Comeaux. “Our Violent Crime Reduction Plan has made incredible progress by identifying the limited number of locations that experience the most violent crime and implementing new methods for preventing crime.”
Chief Comeaux added, “UTD is going to be a key strategic partner in continuing to drive down violent crime, enhance public safety, and make Dallas the safest big city. We have a great relationship with UNT‑Dallas in the development of the new Law Enforcement Training Center, and I’m looking forward to seeing our team members receiving training based on UTD’s thorough research.”
What the plan means for Dallas residents
The expanded program is expected to provide more precise, real‑time intelligence to officers on the ground, allowing them to allocate resources more efficiently and intervene before violence escalates. By coupling rigorous academic analysis with practical, on‑the‑job training, the department hopes to sustain the downward trend in violent offenses that it has reported since 2021.
City leaders welcomed the initiative, noting that keeping research and training within Dallas supports local talent and reinforces the city’s commitment to public safety. The partnership also aligns with broader efforts to make Dallas a model for data‑driven policing in the region.
Timeline and next steps
The collaboration is slated to launch in the fall of 2026. UTD will begin delivering hotspot reports to DPD command staff shortly thereafter, while UNT‑Dallas will develop its first set of training modules for rollout in early 2027. Both universities will work closely with the department to evaluate the effectiveness of the new courses and adjust them as needed.
Residents can expect continued updates from the police department as the program unfolds, including public briefings on crime‑reduction outcomes and opportunities for community input.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
