Dallas Police Department Touts Lowest Overall Crime Rate in 47 Years

Dallas Police Association concerned policies may lead to worse numbers

On Tuesday, Dallas Police Chief David Brown tweeted a video touting stats that show Dallas is safer now than it has been in decades.

The department said 2013 had the lowest overall crime rate in 47 years, including a 45 percent reduction in overall crime and a 50 percent violent crime rate reduction in over 10 years.

The department told NBC 5 the chief would not be doing interviews to discuss the numbers.

Ron Pinkston, president of the Dallas Police Association said, "The numbers are what the numbers are."

He added that it shows good policing.

"Dallas police officers have done an outstanding job in lowering crimes over last 11 years, in spite of policies, bad policies, implemented to make us less efficient," said Pinkston.

Pinkston is referring to policies on how to chase thieves or search suspects. Lately, the major concern is when to use deadly force. In the last couple of years there have been several high profile officer-involved shootings. Most recently, there was one at an uptown luxury high-rise involving a prominent attorney.

"Officers don't know where the deadly force policy is right now," said Pinkston. "They're going to be hesitant to jump on a man with gun call because they don't know if they'll be able to use deadly force if they confront that man."

Pinkston is concerned that could lead to a dip in the numbers. He said officers are worried about the ramifications of using their guns.

The department said the chief will be available at the next Public Safety Meeting at City Hall on Monday morning. Brown's tweet from Tuesday is embedded below.

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