North Texas

Dallas officials announce permanent appointment of Dominique Artis as Chief of Public Safety

Dallas, Texas – Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert has officially announced the permanent appointment of Dominique Artis as the Chief of Public Safety, effective immediately. Chief Artis has served in this role on an interim basis since June 2024 and will now continue leading the Safe Portfolio, which includes oversight of Dallas Fire-Rescue, the Dallas Police Department, Court & Detention Services, Emergency Management and Crisis Response, and the Marshal’s Office.

Leadership and Achievements

During his tenure as interim Chief of Public Safety, Chief Artis has played a key role in advancing several critical initiatives aimed at strengthening public safety across the city. He has been instrumental in accelerating the foundational planning for the Dallas Police Training Academy and has enhanced collaboration with Dallas County by fostering stronger partnerships with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department. Additionally, he has established improved communication channels with the Dallas Police and Fire Associations and led the formation of the City’s first City Action Strike Team (C.A.S.T.), which focuses on coordinated efforts to address public safety challenges.

Under his leadership, Chief Artis also provided the City Council with the first comprehensive briefing on the overtime spending for both the Dallas Police Department (DPD) and Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR), offering transparency and strategic insight into resource allocation.

City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert emphasized the importance of Chief Artis’ appointment, stating, “Public safety remains a top priority for the City of Dallas. Creating a dedicated role for the Public Safety portfolio and appointing Chief Artis to serve as its first Chief elevates our commitment to becoming the safest large city in the United States. In choosing him for this permanent appointment, I am confident that his 30 years of expertise and experience in preparedness and responsiveness will serve as an advantage as we embark on the process to select permanent DPD and DFR Chiefs and enhance recruitment and retention.”

In response to his appointment, Chief Artis expressed his gratitude and commitment to the role, saying, “I am honored to lead our public safety efforts for Dallas, and I look forward to continuing to work with everyone involved with the various public safety departments.”

Jaime Castro, President of the Dallas Police Association, congratulated Chief Artis, stating, “He brings the knowledge and attributes of a true first responder, and we look forward to continuing to work with him.”

Background and Experience

Chief Dominique Artis is a dedicated public servant and a native of Dallas. His leadership within Dallas Fire-Rescue over the past six years has been marked by a focus on preparedness and responsiveness. Throughout his 29-year career in public safety, he has held various pivotal roles that have contributed to his extensive expertise.

Prior to his appointment as Fire Chief in 2018, he served as Assistant Chief of the Administration Bureau, overseeing essential operational areas such as Training, Maintenance, Recruiting, Chaplain Services, and the Environmental Management System. He has also held leadership positions as Deputy Chief of Special Operations and Training, as well as Captain in both Emergency Operations and the Emergency Medical Service Bureau.

Chief Artis holds several certifications, including Master Firefighter, Master Aircraft Rescue Firefighter, Fire Officer II, Fire Instructor I, Incident Commander, and Incident Safety Officer. His academic achievements include a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Technology from Prairie View A&M University and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Dallas. Additionally, he has completed executive leadership programs at the National Fire Academy and the Executive Fire Officer Program.

With his extensive experience and commitment to public service, Chief Artis is expected to continue leading the city’s public safety initiatives with a focus on efficiency, transparency, and community engagement. As the City of Dallas moves forward in its efforts to strengthen law enforcement and emergency response capabilities, his leadership is poised to play a crucial role in achieving the city’s long-term safety goals.

Residents and stakeholders can look forward to further developments as Chief Artis continues to implement strategies aimed at making Dallas a safer and more resilient city.

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