Dye Will Take The Position In October When Tom Hart Retires
Grand Prairie Deputy City Manager and Chief Operating Officer Steve Dye was promoted to City Manager effective Oct. 1, 2021, at its Aug. 3, 2021, City Council meeting. Dye steps into the position vacated by retiring City Manager Tom Hart.
“I am honored to serve the people of Grand Prairie in this new role,” said Dye. “We have an incredibly strong and supportive City Council, leadership team and employee family, all devoted to public service benefiting the people and businesses of our city.”
Steve Dye is a lifelong Texan who received his Bachelor of Science degree from Sam Houston State University and his Master of Criminal Justice from Tarleton State University. He began his police career with the Houston Police Department in 1984 and served with the Arlington and Garland Police Departments in various assignments including Patrol, SWAT, Street Level Narcotics, Mounted Patrol, and in the Traffic Unit as a Motorcycle Officer. Dye was as an Assistant Chief in Garland and Chief in Colleyville before being selected as the Chief of Police for Grand Prairie in July of 2011.
He was promoted to Deputy City Manager after serving for 36 years in law enforcement in 2018. His Deputy City Manager and Chief Operating Officer responsibilities included oversight of the city’s police, fire, airport, housing/neighborhood services, solid waste/recycling, community revitalization, animal services, and environmental quality departments.
‘A Visionary Leader’
“Steve is a visionary leader,” said Mayor Ron Jensen. “He has been a vital part of our culture and world class service philosophy. We are very excited for this natural transition that will continue our forward momentum.”
Dye is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Senior Management Institute for Police, LEMIT Command Staff Leadership Series, the FBI’s Leadership in Counterterrorism program, and the William “King” Cole City Management Series. He is committed to community governance and the formation of stakeholder partnerships to help improve and maintain a high quality of life in Grand Prairie.
Steve founded the UNIDOS, Cowboy Cops, and MotorCops for Kids community programs, as well as the GPPD Youth Boxing Gym initiative and his police departments were twice awarded the IACP Community Policing Award. Dye is a published author and instructor regarding crime reduction programs, police legitimacy, leadership, and community policing.
Dye has been married for 31 years and he and his wife have two daughters.
