1st Black Police Chief Takes Charge in Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas, swore in its first black police chief Tuesday at a ceremony packed with the cityโ€™s top leaders, WFAA reports. Suggested Reading Trigger Warning…All of the Shocking Testimony From Diddy’s Federal Trial 15 AI Videos of Black Folks That Look So Real You Were Likely Fooled Why Wendy Williams is Clapping Back at…

Fort Worth, Texas, swore in its first black police chief Tuesday at a ceremony packed with the cityโ€™s top leaders, WFAA reports.

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He takes over at a challenging time. Fitzgerald replaces Jeff Halstead, who retired in January amid federal discrimination lawsuits filed by several black police officers.

Black Lives Matter called for a rally in the city in August after a white police officer fatally shot an unarmed black college football player in Arlington, Texas. Weeks later, hundreds of mostly white people held a counterprotest to support the police. Some held signs that read, โ€œAll Lives Matter.โ€

Many see Fitzgerald as the right person for the job. The new police chief is known for his ability to work well with the community, according to WFAA.

โ€œThe impetus is upon me to make sure that each and every person in this organization understands that when we speak of community, weโ€™re part of the community,โ€ he said at the ceremony. โ€œThe Police Department [is] an active member in the community, and weโ€™re to make sure that each contact that we have with each and every individual that we see is positive.โ€

With reference to Black Lives Matter, Fitzgerald told KERA News that he wants honest, โ€œopen discussions.โ€

โ€œOne of the things I said when I was first hired here is that Iโ€™m very inclusive, and I intend on listening to all stakeholders and making sure that they have a voice,โ€ he added.

Fitzgerald underscored his track record of bringing together the police department and community. โ€œI feel it wonโ€™t be any different in Fort Worth. The community has really opened their arms up and embraced me so far,โ€ he stated.

Fort Worthโ€™s new police chief, who holds degrees from Harvard and Northwestern, was previously the first black chief of police departments in Missouri City, Texas, and Allentown, Pa. Fitzgerald was a police officer in Philadelphia before climbing the ranks. He beat five other finalists to become Fort Worthโ€™s police chief.

Read more at WFAA.com and KERA News.

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