After more than a month's absence from the police department, Chief U. Renée Hall will return to duty next week.

In a statement Wednesday, the Dallas Police Department said Hall's doctor has cleared her for duty. Hall is scheduled to return Monday. The details surrounding her departure from the department for a "major surgery" were largely kept private, with many city officials and her command staff unaware what her health concern was or how long she would be out.

City manager T.C. Broadnax said when Hall returns she'll focus on "projects and initiatives" and is not expected to appear in public much at first.

"To ensure the success of her return while she continues to recover, I have encouraged the chief to be limited in her external activities and public appearances for the next few weeks," Broadnax said in a statement.

In the statement, Hall expressed her appreciation for the public's prayers and the "city's patience" during her medical leave.

"I am excited and look forward to returning to work and resuming normal activity," Hall said.

The police department had not given a date for the chief's anticipated return before Wednesday's statement.

Hall began her leave July 10, according to an email sent to commanders and obtained by The Dallas Morning News. Her absence became public a week later when the department released a statement Hall had undergone "major surgery."

Hall had to take leave after a wellness check in January after her mother's death in October from "lengthy health challenges," the department said in a statement.

"The physicians expressed concerns that needed to be addressed and scheduled surgery for July," according to the July 17 statement from the department. She reportedly had the surgery that week.

The abrupt announcement of her absence sparked speculation that the chief was planning to leave the department.

Terrance Hopkins, president of the Black Police Association of Greater Dallas, said the rumors were "something she shouldn't have had to deal with."

"It was immature and unprofessional of folks to question someone's medical leave. In our department, everyone has a right to go on medical leave," Hopkins said.

While Hall was out, Executive Assistant Chief David Pughes filled in. Broadnax and Mayor Eric Johnson thanked Pughes for serving as interim during Hall's absence.

"I am happy to hear Chief Hall will be ready to return to work next week. I look forward to working with the chief, the city manager and the council to address the challenges we face," Johnson said in a statement.

Hall returns to the department after an uptick of summer months with violent crime.

Homicides for the year are up 20.2%, with 143 homicides reported as of Wednesday compared to 119 the same time a year ago.

The death of a 9-year-old girl in Old East Dallas on Aug. 14 prompted Johnson to create a community task force to address crime.

Gov. Greg. Abbott sent troopers in June to help police officers after the increase in homicides. Hall accepted the help after managing a department that's been shorthanded in recent years. Hundreds of officers quit and retired during and after the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System's financial turmoil in 2016.

During Hall's absence in a community meeting in July, South Dallas residents complained about the troopers' presence, saying they were unfairly targeting the community with petty traffic enforcement.

On Aug. 17, two troopers fatally shot 27-year-old Schaston Theodore Lamarr Hodge after a traffic stop.

It's unclear what "projects and initiatives" the chief will be working on first. The police department did not respond to a request seeking clarification on Wednesday.