If you’ve lived in North Texas for a minute, you know Irving isn't just a suburb. It is a massive, diverse hub tucked right between Dallas and Fort Worth. And right at the center of keeping that chaos organized is the Irving Texas Police Department. Honestly, most people only think about them when they see red and blue lights in the rearview mirror on Highway 183. But there is a lot more going on behind the scenes at the Criminal Justice Center on O’Connor Road than just writing speeding tickets.
The department has changed a lot lately.
Under the leadership of Chief Derick Miller—who took the reins back in 2022—the agency has leaned hard into what they call "proactive policing." It sounds like corporate speak, but basically, it means they’re trying to stop the mess before it starts. With about 403 sworn officers, they aren't the biggest department in the Metroplex, but they’re definitely not small. They're kind of in that "Goldilocks" zone where they have the resources of a big city but still feel like a local agency where the brass actually knows your name.
Why the Irving Texas Police Department Focuses on Community Roots
You might have heard of "Shop Talk." It’s one of those programs that actually makes sense. Instead of just patrolling in SUVs, officers head into local barbershops to just... talk. No agendas, no arrests, just human conversation. It’s a way to break down that "us vs. them" wall that tends to go up in urban areas.
Then there’s the UNIDOS program. Irving is incredibly diverse, with a huge Hispanic population. UNIDOS is specifically designed to bridge the gap with Spanish-speaking residents who might otherwise be hesitant to call the cops. They hold meetings entirely in Spanish to talk about crime trends and safety. It’s smart. If people are scared to report a crime because of a language barrier, the whole neighborhood loses.
🔗 Read more: NYC Early Voting Hours: What Most People Get Wrong
Specialized Units You Didn't Know Existed
Most folks know about SWAT or the K9 units. We've all seen the dogs at community events. But the Irving Texas Police Department has some niche divisions that do the heavy lifting you rarely hear about:
- The Crisis Response Unit (CRU): This is a big one. It’s a mix of officers and civilian mental health clinicians. When someone is having a mental health breakdown, sending a "warrior-style" response can make things worse. The CRU tries to de-escalate and actually get people into treatment instead of just into a jail cell.
- The EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Unit: Yes, Irving has a bomb squad. They have to. Between the corporate headquarters at Las Colinas and the proximity to DFW Airport, they deal with suspicious packages more often than you’d think.
- The Homeless Outreach Team: Instead of just "moving people along," this unit tries to connect the unhoused population with actual resources. It's a tough job, and it’s never perfectly solved, but it’s a more modern approach than just making arrests for loitering.
The Reality of Crime and Safety in Irving
Let’s be real: no city is perfectly safe. Irving has its share of "big city" problems. If you look at the 2025 and early 2026 data, larceny and theft—specifically from vehicles—remain the most common headaches for residents. It’s usually the "crimes of opportunity." Someone leaves a laptop in the front seat at a gym parking lot, and thirty seconds later, the window is smashed.
However, the department has been reporting some wins. Statewide, Texas saw a significant dip in index crimes (the serious stuff like robbery and aggravated assault) moving into 2025, and Irving has mirrored a lot of those downward trends. Their emergency response time is currently hovering around 5 minutes and 48 seconds. That’s actually pretty fast when you consider the traffic on MacArthur Blvd at 5:00 PM.
Thinking of Joining? The 2026 Recruitment Landscape
If you're looking for a job, the Irving Texas Police Department is paying pretty well these days. As of early 2026, the annual pay for a police officer ranges from about $83.81K to over $112K. That is a massive jump from where salaries were a decade ago.
But they don't just hand out badges. The process is a grind.
- The Civil Service Exam: It’s a 100-question test covering memory, reading comprehension, and analytical ability. You have to pass this just to get an invite to the next step.
- The Physical Agility Test: Usually involves a 2,000-meter row on a Concept2 rower. You have to hit a certain percentile based on your weight and age. No rowing, no badge.
- The Background Check: This is where most people wash out. They look at everything. Driving history, past drug use, credit scores. If you’ve had more than two tickets in the last 18 months, you’re probably out of luck.
- The Polygraph and Psych Eval: They want to make sure you aren't "kinda" crazy or "sorta" lying about your past.
Once you’re in, you go through 21 weeks at the academy and another nine weeks of Irving-specific training. They take it seriously. They want "proactive" people, not just people looking for a paycheck.
Common Misconceptions About IPD
People often confuse Irving PD with the Dallas Police Department or the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office. They are entirely separate. Irving handles its own jail, its own 911 dispatch, and its own investigations.
Another big myth? That the "North Station" is the only place officers work out of. While the North Station on Riverside Blvd is a major hub for the Las Colinas area, the department is spread out. They rely heavily on their beat system to ensure that an officer is always nearby, regardless of whether you're down by Irving Lake or up near Valley Ranch.
The department also uses a system called RollKall to manage off-duty security. You’ll see Irving officers working security at malls or events. They’re still real cops with full authority, but they’re being paid by the private business for that specific time. It’s a way for the city to have more "eyes on the street" without the taxpayers footing the entire bill for extra security at a private concert.
Navigating the Future of Policing in Irving
Technology is becoming a huge part of the day-to-day. You’ll see more body-worn cameras and advanced license plate readers (FLOCK cameras) around the city. Some people find the cameras "Big Brother-ish," but the department argues they are essential for solving hit-and-runs and finding stolen vehicles.
They also have a "Take Me Home" program. It’s a database for people with disabilities like autism or Alzheimer's. If an officer finds someone wandering and they can't communicate where they live, the officer can check the database, see their photo, and get them home safely. It's these kinds of small, tech-driven programs that actually make a difference in a 24/7 city.
If you need to get in touch with them for something that isn't a "somebody is dying" emergency, don't call 911. Use the non-emergency line at (972) 273-1010. You'll get to the same dispatchers, but you won't be clogging up the lines for people in true life-or-death situations.
Actionable Steps for Irving Residents
- Register for the "Take Me Home" program if you have a family member with special needs. It’s a free service that can prevent a tragedy.
- Sign up for the "Unidos" or "Shop Talk" alerts on the city’s website. Knowing your local beat officer makes a huge difference if you ever actually need to report something.
- Audit your home security. The Irving Texas Police Department offers free home security surveys where an officer will literally come to your house and tell you how a burglar would break in.
- Check the "Blue Christmas" schedule if you’re looking to volunteer. It’s one of the department’s biggest charity drives and a great way to see the officers in a non-enforcement setting.
- Monitor the Media Affairs page. They post updates on major incidents and "Silver Alerts" there much faster than the local news stations often do.
The Irving Police Department isn't perfect, and they’ll be the first to tell you that. But between the specialized mental health units and the push for high-tech crime fighting, they’re clearly trying to keep up with a city that never stops growing. Whether you're a resident or looking for a career, understanding how this machine works is the first step to staying safe in the 972.