Retired Dallas Police Chief David Brown will join ABC News as a contributor Jan. 1, the Dallas Morning News reports. “As our country begins a new presidential era, we’re very fortunate to have Chief Brown’s unique perspective to inform our reporting on many of the nation’s fault lines — economic inequality, gun violence, race relations, and social justice,” said ABC News President James Goldston.
Brown was on the Dallas police force for 33 years, including six years as chief of police. He received national praise for his handling of the aftermath of the July 7 shooting, when a lone gunman ambushed police officers, killing five and injuring nine others. The chief was frank in his public appearances immediately after the ambush, saying police officers are often asked to do too much to fix societal ills. He encouraged protesters to join the police force so they could patrol their own neighborhoods. Ballantine Books announced today that it had a deal with Brown for a “deeply revealing” book, currently untitled, to come out next year.