First DCCCD Commissioner of Public Safety, Security Sworn In
Lauretta Hill is sworn in by Dr. Joe May as husband Maurice holds Bible
Dr. Joe May (right), DCCCD’s chancellor, administers the oath of office to Lauretta Hill, the district’s first commissioner of public safety and security, as Hill’s husband, Maurice, holds a Bible during the ceremony. Hill received her badge following the swearing-in.
(DALLAS) — The first commissioner of public safety and security for the Dallas County Community College District, Lauretta Hill, was sworn in today by Dr. Joe May, DCCCD’s chancellor. Representatives from law enforcement agencies across the Dallas-Fort Worth area attended the ceremony, along with family members and friends.
“Today really is a great day,” said May. “I’ve reflected on the role of our outstanding police officers across the Dallas County Community College District at our seven colleges and multiple locations, as well as the communities we serve. Our officers are people we trust, and we rely on them every day.”
He added, “It’s difficult to understand how they can run toward — instead of away from — danger as our El Centro police did last year on July 7. I am excited to welcome Commissioner Hill. Under her direction and through the work of all of our officers, I know that our students will have the same opportunities in the future to learn and grow as they have in the past.”
Hill, who was joined by her husband, youngest son and her parents, said, “Thank you for the opportunity to serve. That’s what I do — I serve. I am a public servant, and that is my calling.”
She also discussed the need for all police departments and officers to fix relationships with their communities. “We are going through a tumultuous professional period. It is our responsibility to all work together and fix this problem. And we want to make DCCCD the best police department in the community,”
DCCCD’s board of trustees approved her appointment last June; her first day on the job was Monday, Aug. 8, 2016.
Hill is responsible for managing the district’s public safety operations and initiatives, including campus safety, campus policing, emergency medical response and preparedness. She oversees a staff of more than 150 people and also is responsible for recruiting, hiring, handling performance evaluations and numerous other duties. Her new job at DCCCD marks the first time Hill is working in her hometown.
The new commissioner has shattered a number of glass ceilings in law enforcement.
Hill came to Dallas from the city of Miami Beach, where she served as deputy police chief for the past two years. She was the first black woman to serve in that job as “number two” in the police command, and she also was the highest-ranking black officer in Miami Beach.
A graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington with a master’s degree from Texas Christian University, Hill started her law enforcement career in 1994. During her 20 years with the Arlington Police Department, she rose to the rank of assistant police chief, a first for a black woman. While in Arlington, she led the security operations for Super Bowl XLV in 2011 — the first time the Super Bowl was played in Dallas-Fort Worth. Hill also led security operations for the 2010 NBA All-Star game. Both events were held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
A graduate of the FBI National Academy and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Hill has received numerous commendations.
For more information, contact Debra Dennis in the DCCCD office of public and governmental affairs at 214-378-1851 or Ann Hatch at 214-378-1819.
