Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy

Murder of Patrolman Tippit

The Commission found that Tippit was unquestionably patrolling in the area directed by police headquarters. There was no evidence that Tippit and Oswald knew each other or had ever met. A description attributed to one eyewitness that didn’t fit Oswald was denied by her and unsupported by other witnesses.

Tippit Driving Alone

The Commission found that Dallas police policy required approximately 80 percent of day-shift patrolmen (7 a.m. to 3 p.m.) to work alone. Tippit was assigned to work alone that day, consistent with department policy rather than in violation of standing orders.

Tippit’s Patrol Sector Assignment

The Commission found that Tippit’s department file and radio log showed he was directed following the President’s shooting to move into and remain in the central Oak Cliff area for emergencies, not assigned to downtown Dallas at the time of the encounter.

Police Presence in the Oak Cliff Area

The Commission found that other police cars were operating in the Oak Cliff area at the same time as Tippit. These officers participated in the search and apprehension of Tippit’s slayer, contradicting the claim that police had been withdrawn from the area.

Tippit’s Radio Notification Procedure

The Commission found that the Dallas Police Department had no requirement or regulation requiring officers to notify headquarters when stopping to question a suspect. Therefore, Tippit did not violate any radio procedure in failing to notify the dispatcher when stopping Oswald.

Tippit Recognizing Oswald

The Commission found no certain way to know whether Tippit recognized Oswald from the radio description. The radio log showed the dispatcher noted a similarity between descriptions of the President’s assassin and Tippit’s slayer at 1:29 p.m. The Commission considered it conceivable and probable that Tippit stopped Oswald based on the broadcast description.