Dallas police fired two officers this week, one for public intoxication and the other for violating the department’s off-duty employment policy.
Murphy police officers issued Sr. Cpl. Joshua Cooper, 50, a citation in December for public intoxication. Cooper was allegedly found sleeping behind the wheel of a running vehicle. The Dallas Morning News reported that since July 2023, Cooper had been on administrative leave for “alleged criminal activity.” Cooper had been with the DPD since 2009.
Zach Horn, Cooper’s attorney, did not comment on the decision and did not indicate if Cooper would appeal.
Officer Shawn Couch, 46, allegedly violated the department’s off-duty employment policy. According to officials, Couch violated the department’s “expanded neighborhood patrol” policy, reported DMN. The policy permits off-duty officers to be hired for neighborhood patrols. A statement from DPD said that Couch engaged in “adverse conduct when he received pay for off-duty employment when he did not work.”
Officials also claim that Couch made false statements during an internal investigation. Couch had been with the DPD since 2016.
Robert Rogers, Couch’s attorney, said that his client plans to appeal the decision.
Both of the officers were fired during disciplinary hearings with Chief Eddie Garcia.
Garcia said in a text message, “The discipline speaks for itself,” reported DMN.
The DPD cannot afford to lose officers. With only around 3,000 officers currently on the street, Dallas is far short of the 4,000 officers that a prior City analysis determined was needed to adequately police the jurisdiction.
Business owners have blamed staffing issues within the DPD for an increase in violent crime.
Getting the DPD up to the recommended number of officers may prove difficult given its small budget of $654 million this fiscal year. This is far less than the spending levels on police seen in other high-crime jurisdictions.
