Safety First: A Vision for Downtown’s Future with Chief Comeaux

Conversation with Chief of Police for the City of Dallas

Moderated by Jennifer Scripps, President & CEO, Downtown Dallas, Inc.

Daniel C. Comeaux

Chief of Police, City of Dallas

Daniel C. Comeaux brings more than three decades of law enforcement experience to his role as Chief of Police for the City of Dallas. He began his career in 1991 with the Houston Police Department, where he specialized in community policing, narcotics enforcement, and high-risk investigations.

In 1997, Chief Comeaux transitioned to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), leading major operations in Houston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. His efforts focused on reducing violent crime and drug trafficking. While serving as the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Houston Field Division, he commanded 12 offices across Texas, including 645 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Chief Comeaux is a recognized leader in law enforcement recruitment and modern policing. He is committed to transparency, accountability, and building strong relationships between officers and the community. His leadership emphasizes intelligence-driven crime reduction, interagency collaboration, and officer development.

As Chief of the Dallas Police Department, his vision centers on innovative policing strategies, enhanced recruitment, and strengthening public trust—ensuring Dallas remains a safe and forward-thinking city.

Chief Comeaux is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, and graduated from the University of Houston-Downtown, earning a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Criminal Justice. He completed the Drug Enforcement Administration Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and attended the Stayer Center for Executive Education at the University of Notre Dame.

Jennifer Scripps

President and CEO, Downtown Dallas, Inc.

Jennifer Scripps, a Dallas native and long-time civic leader, joined Downtown Dallas, Inc. as president and CEO in April 2022. She took the helm of the 100-employee organization at a time when Downtown Dallas is experiencing historic growth, including more than $4 billion in planned or ongoing development, thousands of new residents, and a string of high-profile corporate relocations. Jennifer’s focus is on guiding DDI’s strategic 360 Plan and overseeing major projects expected to get underway in the coming years, including the Field Street District and the redevelopment of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, to name a few.

She previously served for six years as the director of the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture. In her prior role at Dallas City Hall, she oversaw a series of significant initiatives that elevated the arts throughout Dallas and across the country. Prior to her time with the City of Dallas, she served in multiple roles with the Perot Museum of Nature & Science, including overseeing the day-to-day construction and business planning of the museum just north of the Central Business District.

Scripps graduated from Ursuline Academy of Dallas in 1995. She has a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. She and her husband, Andy, and their two young sons are residents of the White Rock Lake area in East Dallas.