After 33 Years With Dallas Police, Chief Brown Says Farewell

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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - He received national praise for leading the City of Dallas during some of its darkest days. Now Police Chief David Brown is turning in his badge. After 33 years the Chief is retiring – today.

Brown insists the ambush that took the lives of four Dallas Police Department officers and one Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) officer back in July did not play a role in his retirement.

Last month the Chief announced his retirement "after much prayer." He said he made the decision as he dealt with national praise pouring in during the months after the downtown shootings. He said the national recognition he received after the tragedy started to feel self-serving.

During a press conference last month he said, "The job of a police chief is to be challenged. The job of a public servant is to be criticized. The idea of being untouchable has not felt right to me."

The longest-serving police chief in DPD history hasn't elaborated on what he'll do in the next phase of his life. When pressed for further details, Brown's only response was, "That's nobody's business but me and my baby." Brown said he was weighing his options, but did reveal that he wants to continue to inspire young people on a national level.

Brown had first planned to step down toward on October 22, his 56th birthday, but moved the date up to today so he could, in his words, "take advantage of some time-sensitive opportunities."

♦♦♦ DPD Posted A Blog About What's Next For Chief Brown ♦♦♦

Ron Pinkston, president of the Dallas Police Association, is also retiring today. The DPA is the largest organization representing Dallas police – representing 80-percent of the officers. But Pinkston, who led the DPA for four years, has been forthright with his reasons for leaving. He says he's worried about the pension system that many say is on the brink of failure.

As for leadership at the Dallas Police Department, Assistant Chief David Pughes will serve as interim chief. A permanent successor for Brown may not be named until next year -- that's because Dallas City Manager A.C. Gonzalez is retiring in January. So it will be the person who replaces him that will choose the new police chief.

Chief David Brown will make one final appearance, joining Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Mayor Mike Rawlings and other city leaders, at the National Night Out event being held at the University of North Texas at Dallas Campus this evening.

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• Dallas Police Department
• Dallas Police Association