Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle will retire after a tenure of more than five years that included a boost in the number of officers and a steady drop in overall crime, reports the city’s Morning News. Kunkle, who came up through the ranks in Dallas, turns 59 on Friday. February would mark the 38th anniversary of his hiring as a Dallas police officer.
“I wanted to go as much as possible on my own terms, controlling the circumstances in which I left,” said Kunkle. “In order to do that, you have to go when you are not pressured to leave. I wanted to come in with dignity and leave with dignity. I've decided to term-limit myself,” he said. City Manager Mary Suhm said she already has launched a nationwide search for a new chief and expects there to be internal candidates.