Police and Use of Deadly Force in Tacoma

The fundamental duty of law enforcement is to preserve and protect all human life. Officers shall respect and uphold the dignity of all persons and use their authority in a bias-free manner. The use of force consistent with this policy is essential to ensuring impartial policing, officer and public safety, and building trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Independent Criminal Investigations of Use of Deadly Force Incidents

Washington State Law requires any use of deadly force involving a police officer that also involves serious injury or death to be investigated by an independent agency. Such investigations involving Tacoma Police Department (TPD) officers are done by the Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII).

The Washington State Legislature created OII in 2021 to conduct thorough, transparent, and unbiased investigations of cases that involve police use of deadly force. OII is unique in the nation, being led by a civilian director and tasked with developing a plan to eventually include civilian investigators on its teams. OII exists to conduct fair, thorough, transparent, and competent investigations.

You can find more information on current and past investigations of use of deadly force involving TPD officers through OII’s Status of OII Investigations page.

Independent investigations where a use of deadly force does not result in death are conducted by the Pierce County Force Investigation Team (PCFIT). Information about their process and case investigations can be found on the Independent Investigation Team’s website.

Note that investigations into use of deadly force incidents involving police can take months to years to complete. Each investigation is unique and may require additional review of evidence or testimony by experts, which results in varying durations of the investigative process.