The Fort Worth Police Department has established a new initiative aimed at enhancing accountability and public trust within the community. Announced on December 2, 2025, by Chief Eddie García, the Constitutional Policing Unit will conduct regular audits of police operations to ensure adherence to legal, moral, and ethical standards.
This initiative reflects a proactive approach to policing that Chief García previously implemented during his tenure in Dallas. The unit is the first significant reform since García took command of the Fort Worth Police Department in September. “This is about strengthening trust and accountability within the Fort Worth Police Department,” García stated to the City Council’s public safety committee. He emphasized the department’s ambition to become a leader in law enforcement, both locally and nationally.
Details of the Constitutional Policing Unit
The newly formed unit will initially comprise three staff members: a civilian director, a police lieutenant to act as a liaison, and a part-time criminologist. The civilian director is expected to be appointed in January 2026. The unit will be tasked with assessing police policies, training, and operations through structured reviews and data analysis, allowing for the development of corrective action plans.
Alex del Carmen, the unit’s criminologist, highlighted the importance of internal oversight, stating, “You want to make sure that the organization itself is measuring the work that it’s doing and making sure that it is proactive.” This approach aims to ensure that police practices align with the best standards and research available.
The Constitutional Policing Unit will collaborate with the Office of the Police Oversight Monitor (OPOM), which was established in 2020 to enhance accountability in police matters. While OPOM operates under the City Manager, the new unit will report directly to Chief García. OPOM director Bonycle Sokunbi noted that this unit will provide a proactive, internal approach to oversight, contrasting with OPOM’s reactive measures.
Context and Community Impact
The establishment of the Constitutional Policing Unit comes at a time when police accountability is a pressing concern for many in Fort Worth. Over the past decade, several high-profile incidents involving the police have raised questions about the department’s interactions with communities of color. Community advocates have long pushed for a citizen-led oversight board, a recommendation initially made by the city’s Race and Culture Task Force in 2018.
Despite efforts, a proposal for such a board was rejected by the City Council in 2022, with the decision supported by García’s predecessor, Neil Noakes. When García assumed leadership, he expressed openness to exploring the establishment of a citizen board, contingent upon discussions with Sokunbi.
The launch of the Constitutional Policing Unit is seen as a critical step towards rebuilding trust between the Fort Worth Police Department and the community. It aims to address operational, legal, and reputational risks while ensuring that the department adheres to the highest standards of policing.
As community members continue to advocate for reforms, the new unit represents a significant commitment by the Fort Worth Police Department to enhance transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices.
