Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes announces retirement

Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes announces retirement

Published on December 09, 2024

After more than 25 years of dedicated service to the City of Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Police Department, Police Chief Neil Noakes will retire from law enforcement, effective May 2025.

Noakes began his law enforcement career with FWPD on May 30, 2000, and was appointed chief of police in 2021 by City Manager David Cooke.

"My emotions are mixed because I have been with the FWPD for half my life and have truly enjoyed my career. Being part of our FWPD family has been an incredible honor and a privilege," Noakes said. "I work with amazing people who strive to make a positive difference every day. I have also enjoyed working with an incredibly supportive mayor, council and city manager's office. My decision comes down to family. I have a supportive and loving wife and children who have sacrificed so much and supported me and the Fort Worth Police Department. I became a grandfather in July, and I have a second grandchild on the way. It's time for me to focus on my family."

Throughout his 25 years of public service, Noakes has held various ranks and served in multiple areas of the department, including Patrol, DWI, Motors and Internal Affairs. He takes particular pride in the establishment of the new Wellness Unit and his involvement in youth engagement programs such as Operation Progress, Read2Win, All Pro Dad and the City of Fort Worth's Education Initiative.

"Chief Noakes brought 20-plus years of community-based law enforcement experience to the chief's office - but even more important, he brought a desire for genuine engagement with the residents we serve," Fort Worth City Manager David Cooke said. "Throughout his career, Chief Noakes has focused on community problem-solving and reducing crime."

Cooke noted that, even with Fort Worth's impressive population growth over the last decade, Noakes and his leadership team have been able to reduce major crime in Fort Worth.

"You've got to love the job to be good at being a police chief, and he's an extraordinary police chief. If you hear him talk about the officers and the staff that work at the police department you get this beautiful understanding of what it's like to be a police family. He leads the police department with that type of ethic and family feeling," said Cooke.

"Family should always come first, and I have nothing but respect for Chief Noakes' decision to retire," said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. "I'm so grateful to Neil, his wife, and his family for the more than 25 years of service, sacrifice and leadership that he has provided to Fort Worth. He has led the Fort Worth Police Department through some of the most difficult times our city has faced with humility, transparency and compassion for the community as his top priority. He is truly leaving this department better than he found it. He is a man of strong character, faith and integrity, shares a deep love of service to this great city, and I am thankful to call him a dear friend."

Before being named chief of police, Noakes served as deputy chief, overseeing the South Command. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration from Tarleton State University and a master's degree in criminal justice and criminology from Texas Christian University (TCU). Additionally, he is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute's 137th Administrative Officers Course and TCU's inaugural Leadership, Executive and Administrative Development Program (L.E.A.D. #1).

Photo: Chief Neil Noakes

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