Fort Worth city managers have chosen Deputy Police Chief Neil Noakes to be the new chief, replacing Chief Ed Kraus who announced his retirement last July, the city announced Monday
“Chief Noakes is the right leader, at the right time, for the Fort Worth Police Department and the City of Fort Worth,” Mayor Betsy Price said in a statement on Facebook. “Chief Noakes has proven to have a heart for servant leadership and a vision for rebuilding and strengthening relationships within our communities. He and the 2,400-plus sworn and civilian employees of the department must work with the community in a spirit of solidarity and partnership to continue to build on the foundations that Chief Kraus has laid. I look forward to voting on his appointment with the other councilmembers at our February meeting.”
Noakes joined the department in 2000 and oversees the central, east, and south patrol divisions.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Tarleton State University and earned his master’s degree in criminal justice and criminology from Texas Christian University.
Noakes was named a finalist for the top job along with assistant chief Julie Swearingin, assistant Houston police chief Wendy Baimbridge, assistant Austin police chief Troy Gay, Carrollton Police Chief Derick Miller and assistant sheriff Christopher Jones of the Las Vegas municipal police department.
In his application for the chief’s job in November, Noakes said that policing is at a “critical point” and facing an “unfortunate erosion of public trust.”
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“In the face of adversity, it is imperative for us to recognize the situation for what it is -- a time of unparalleled opportunity for community partnerships, positive reform and beneficial change for all,” Noakes wrote.
“Ultimately I chose to step forward because I believe we need innovative leadership and genuine engagement with the citizens we serve,” he said.
Noakes vowed to rebuild trust and respect.
“Instead of letting the current climate create a bleak picture of our future, we will work with our community in a spirit of solidarity and partnership to forge a better tomorrow for all,” he said.
Fort Worth has a population of nearly 900,000 and has about 1,700 sworn officers.
NBC 5's Deborah Ferguson contributed to this report.
