Chief David Brown
Retired Chief David O. Brown was the longest-serving — and most beloved — Dallas Police Chief in modern times. He built his career in the community where he grew up and had to endure personal tragedies along the way that left him with a unique perspective of what it is like for families on both sides of the law.
Chief Brown was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. In 1983, he quit college in his senior year to become a Dallas police officer, so he could fight the crack cocaine epidemic in his old neighborhood. He then spent 33 years working his way through the ranks.
During his six year tenure as Chief of Police, he reduced crime more than any other chief in the history of the department. Under his leadership, officer-involved shootings fell more than 40% and excessive force complaints dropped more than 70%, to the lowest number on record. Chief Brown’s efforts in community policing are nationally renowned.
Along the way, his life also has been marked by personal tragedies. His brother was killed in drug-related violence. One of his Dallas police department partners was murdered. And his mentally ill adult son was killed in shootout with police that also left a police officer dead.
Chief Brown’s leadership during and after the tragic events of July 7, 2016 calmed the city of Dallas and the nation. His decision to use a robot to detonate C4 explosives in order to neutralize a suspect was a first in the history of American policing. And the Chief’s call to protestors to become a part of the solution — by applying to join the police department — earned him accolades from across the nation and around the world.
Chief Brown has relied on his faith to get through the difficult times in his life. He is married to a retired Dallas police sergeant whom he met when she was an undercover narcotics officer making drug buys in his old neighborhood.
The people behind the people behind the badge.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation was chartered in 2004. The Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which provides support for innovative programs and initiatives that are not presently funded by the police department’s budget. The support of the CMPF helps to ensure a safer community.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation Initiatives
- Mobile Firearms Training Simulator (FATS ® L7)
- Body Worn Cameras
- Thermal Imaging Devices
- DNA Equipment for Crime Lab
- Mobile Print Scanners
- Major Case Crime Scene Truck
- Fire Extinguishers for every Police vehicle
- Electronic Monitoring of Pre-Trial release Chronic Offenders
- Cold Case DNA Crime Lab
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Foundation Board Members
Brad Muller (Chair), Will Whitley (Vice Chair), Eric Schachner (Treasurer), Ken Beuley, Tom Bowman, Jack Burke, Bobby Chesney, Derek Copeland, Greg Denels, David S. Dooley, Lance Emory, Ken Gill, Frank Golden, Jimbo Harrell, Chuck Hood, Jake Jacobson, DelMar Laury, Kim Lloyd, Glen Mowery, Stoney Sellars