Dallas has a new police chief: U. Renee Hall, who will become the first female police chief in the city's history. Hall was previously deputy chief of the Detroit Police Department, where she directed the city's Neighborhood Policing Bureau.

In a release, Hall says that she is honored to be chosen to lead the Dallas Police Department "at this critical time in its history."

"I look forward to building on the successes of the past, preserving community trust, and ensuring the safety of our officers and the entire Dallas community," she says.

Hall was chosen from a field of seven candidates who participated in panel interviews with more than 55 community and business leaders — a process that city manager T.C. Broadnax described as diverse, inclusive, and participatory.

In a rare opportunity, the public was also given access to meet the seven candidates at Dallas City Hall on July 11.

"Chief Hall is a proven leader with a stellar background and a passion for public service," Broadnax says. "These are qualities I believe are critical as we tackle crime to make our city safer while addressing organizational and policy issues within the department."

Hall has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Grambling State University and master's degrees in security administration and intelligence analysis from the University of Detroit Mercy.

A graduate of the FBI National Academy, she also completed the Police Executive Leadership Institute and is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

As deputy chief in Detroit, Hall developed and implemented comprehensive community policing and mentor programs, forged partnerships, and established trust within minority communities while also building strong relationships between officers of all ranks and community stakeholders. Under her leadership, the city of Detroit experienced a 40-year low in homicides and double-digit reductions in violent crime for three consecutive years.

Her responsibilities also included oversight of police services for six precincts and 720 sworn and non-sworn personnel.

Hall joined the Detroit Police Department at the age of 29. Her father was also a Detroit police officer who was killed in the line of duty in 1971, when she was six months old. His murderer was never found.

In Trump-like fashion, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings tweeted his response, stating, "I knew we would get many great candidates, and we did because of the great opportunity. We needed an excellent leader & we got a proven one. I'm pleased with our choice."