Dallas, TX – After serving three and a half years as the chief of the Dallas Police Department,
Eddie García is stepping down from his position to take on a new role as Assistant City Manager in Austin. In his new position, García will oversee public safety operations in Texas’s capital, following the path of former Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax and becoming the fourth Dallas official to join Austin’s city government.
García’s departure marks the end of his law enforcement career, which he has categorized as a “retirement from law enforcement.” However, questions remain about his eligibility for retirement benefits under the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System.
Pension and Severance Uncertainty
According to pension system guidelines, officers can receive full retirement benefits at 58 years old. To qualify for reduced benefits, a member must either have 20 years of service with the Dallas Police Department or have served at least five years and be 53 years old. While García, who is 53, meets the age requirement, he falls short of the service requirement by one and a half years, making him ineligible for reduced pension benefits from the Dallas system.
Regarding severance pay, García signed an addendum to his 2020 contract in May, which outlined several bonuses and salary adjustments intended to keep him in Dallas until 2027. The addendum stated that García would be the highest-paid police chief in any Texas city with over one million residents, ensuring his salary would remain competitive. Additionally, he was set to receive a $20,000 annual bonus, paid in two $10,000 installments. However, García’s departure means he will leave without ever receiving the bonus.
The addendum also mentioned that García would be entitled to a lump sum payment of one year’s salary if he was terminated without fault or resigned at the request of the city manager. However, voluntary resignation or termination for poor performance would void any severance payment. It is currently unclear whether García’s departure will be classified as a retirement or a resignation, which could affect his eligibility for severance.
Future Role in Austin
García is expected to begin his new role as Assistant City Manager in Austin on November 4. According to reports, he will be responsible for overseeing public safety operations in the growing city. The move comes as a surprise to many Dallas officials, who were unaware of his impending departure. Per his contract, if García voluntarily resigns, he is required to assist Dallas in the transition to a new police chief.
As the situation unfolds, it remains uncertain whether the city of Dallas will treat García’s exit as a retirement or resignation, and how it may impact his financial arrangements with the city.
Stay tuned to SoMuchNews.com for updates on Dallas Police Chief Eddie García and his transition to Austin.
Published by SoMuchNews.com
