Overview:
The Dallas City Manager addressed concerns from several law enforcement and fire associations following his absence from a scheduled meeting on September 10th. He explained that he was attending a meet and greet with President Donald Trump during the RNC Convention to advocate for the city. While emphasizing his commitment to public safety personnel, the manager noted that the official negotiate team remains prepared to resume discussions.
I am in receipt of the recent letter sent by the Dallas Police Association, Dallas Firefighter Association and the National Latino Law Enforcement Organization regarding my absence from a scheduled meeting on Thursday, September 10th. I recognize and take seriously the concerns raised through these association leaders. My unavoidable absence at the scheduled time was not in any way intended to convey disrespect.
Although, I fully understand the frustration this caused among these association leaders, to be clear, I along with Police Chief Daniel Comeaux, and Fire Chief Justin Ball represented the city in our official capacity for a meet and greet with the President of the United States during the RNC Convention. This was an important opportunity to advocate for Dallas.
As you know, high level meetings can arise unexpectedly when world leaders are in Dallas. I deeply appreciate the steadfast dedication and selfless service of our city’s police officers and firefighters, and I remain unwavering in my commitment to treat them with the utmost respect and seriousness.
I have, throughout my tenure as City Manager, remained accessible and dedicated to achieving a fair and equitable agreement through the meet and confer process. We recognize that open dialogue and mutual participation are vital, and we fully agree that productive negotiations require the presence and engagement of both parties. However, as City Manager, I am not a required member of the city’s meet and confer negotiation team. To that end, all meet and confer meetings include the Chief of Public Safety, City Attorney’s Office, Budget Office, Human Resources, and Command staff of both Police and Fire which make up the city’s required meet and confer negotiation team.
Based on the feedback I received from the city’s official meet and confer negotiation team, they remain ready to return to the negotiating table promptly and in good faith, ensuring that all parties are afforded a meaningful opportunity to present and discuss their positions. Our guiding principle is to reach an agreement that honors the invaluable contributions of our public safety personnel while balancing the broader interests and responsibilities of the Dallas community.
I will continue to meet with leadership of all associations, as appropriate, and as my schedule permits, but this should never take the place of critical meetings with Police and Fire Department executive leadership and the city’s official meet and confer negotiation team who have my full support and authority to represent me in these matters.
