Four decades of dedication
Dallas County Hospital District Police Department marks 40 years of service
Forty years ago, the Dallas County Hospital District Police Department began with fewer than 30 employees, two patrol vehicles, and a mission to provide safety and security for Parkland Memorial Hospital and its patients. Today, that mission remains steadfast, but the scope and sophistication of the department have evolved beyond what anyone in 1985 could have imagined.
Now comprised of 162 employees, including 103 sworn officers, the department protects and serves Parkland’s main campus and 16 community-based health centers across Dallas County. Each year, officers respond to more than 90,000 calls and patrol more than 17 million square feet of property. On any given day, approximately 40,000 patients, visitors, staff and vendors move through the hospital’s doors — each depending on the department’s vigilance and professionalism.
“Parkland’s police officers are an essential part of the hospital family,” said Marlin Suell, Chief of Police, who serves as the department’s fourth chief in its 40-year history. “Our team is committed to providing not just safety, but peace of mind to every person who enters our facilities. The compassion and dedication they bring to their work every day are what make this department exceptional.”
The police department recently put itself to one of the toughest tests in law enforcement – and aced it. The department earned accreditation from the Texas Police Chiefs Association Best Practices Program, a voluntary process where agencies must demonstrate compliance with 170 best practices in Texas law enforcement. Only 7% of all law enforcement agencies in Texas have achieved this designation, placing the department among an elite group recognized for excellence, accountability, and professionalism.
When the department was founded, police radios were, as early staff described them, “ginormous.” Calls for service were handwritten on 3x5 index cards. Officers received only three days of orientation training — mostly to learn where things were on campus. Today, everything is digital and efficient: dispatch operations are fully computerized, security cameras are monitored around the clock, and officers complete an eight-week academy to ensure they receive the highest level of training.
From its modest beginnings, the department has grown into a full-service police agency with specialized functions that include a crime analyst, detectives, in-house recruiting, crime prevention, and community outreach. Its four divisions — Operations, Support Services, Parking Services, and Training and Recruitment — work in close coordination to ensure a safe, secure environment for everyone served by Parkland.
“Back then, our officers wore many hats, sometimes even handing out paper paychecks to medical residents,” Chief Suell said with a smile. “Today, we operate a modern police department that uses data-driven decision-making, advanced technology, and strong community partnerships. What hasn’t changed is our unwavering dedication to service.”
The department’s officers are licensed by the state of Texas and enforce all local, state, and federal statutes. They also provide a wide range of educational programs to promote safety and awareness across the health system, including workplace violence prevention, active shooter preparedness, and crime prevention training.
Among the department’s unique duties are supporting Parkland’s Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT)—where specially trained officers help de-escalate potentially volatile situations—and serving as mental health peace officers through the Law Enforcement Intervention for Environmental/Patient Safety (LIFE) initiative. Officers also provide risk assessments for new construction projects, assist motorists with parking and shuttle concerns, and support community outreach events throughout Dallas County.
“Parkland’s police officers embody our core values of respect, collaboration, and service,” Chief Suell added. “For 40 years, they’ve protected our patients, staff, and visitors with professionalism and empathy. We’re proud of where we started and even prouder of where we’re going.”
As the Dallas County Hospital District Police Department celebrates its 40th anniversary, it continues to look ahead by advancing training, technology, and community engagement to ensure Parkland remains a safe and healing environment for all.
For more information on the services provided at Parkland, visit www.parklandhealth.org.
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