Bureaus & Organization

Interim Chief of Police Patti Jackson

Under the direction of the City Manager, the Chief of Police plans, organizes, directs and controls the activities of the Tacoma Police Department; assures the effective protection of lives, property and constitutional rights through the enforcement of laws and ordinances; formulates, develops, implements and evaluates departmental policies, goals and objectives; and directs and approves personnel actions within the department.

Deputy Chief-Vacant

Under the direction of the Chief of Police, the Deputy Chief assists in the overall direction of the department’s internal operations; directs assigned activities of the Tacoma Police Department; assures the effective protection of lives, property and constitutional rights through the enforcement of laws and ordinances; formulates, develops, implements and evaluates departmental policies, goals and objectives.

Administrative Services Bureau Assistant Chief Christopher Karl

The Administrative Services Bureau includes the Crime Analysis Unit, responsible for tracking statistics in the City of Tacoma and Internal Affairs. This bureau also contains two divisions; the Professional Standards Division that oversees Accreditation, Body Worn and In-car cameras, Records and policy and procedures, as well as the Support Services Division that oversees Recruiting, Hiring, Training, Quartermaster, and the Tacoma Police Department’s Harrison Range. The bureau also manages Police Information Technology – IT, and the department’s fleet of vehicles.

Investigations Bureau Assistant Chief Frank Krause

The Investigations Bureau is comprised of our Criminal Investigations Division – Violent Crimes and Major Crimes Sections, Special Investigations Section and Forensic Services Section. The Violent Crimes Section includes the Homicide/Assault Unit and the Special Assaults Unit. The Major Crimes Unit investigates domestic violence, juvenile cases, missing children and runaways, arson, general duty cases, and serve protection orders. Special Investigations investigates narcotic and vice-related crimes. The Forensic Services Section responds to crime scenes ranging from burglaries to homicides.

Operations Bureau Assistant Chief Crystal Young-Haskins

The Operations Bureau is committed to community policing and transformation for the betterment of all community members. As an accredited agency by CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies), something less than two percent of agencies holds nationwide, the Operations Bureau joins the entire department in striving to provide excellent service and to improve, every day. The Operations Bureau consists of our Community Policing Division, Patrol, Marine Services, Dive Unit, and our K-9s.

Interim Chief of Police Patti Jackson also has direct supervision of the following staff members and functions:

• Chief of Staff
• Community Engagement
• Media Relations
• Financial Services Manager

The Administrative Services Bureau is the behind-the-scenes section of the Tacoma Police Department. This bureau includes two divisions.

Support Services Division

• Accreditation – CALEA
• Records Management
• Body-Worn Cameras
• In-Dash Cameras

Professional Standards Division

• Crime Analysis Unit (includes management of the TPD Crime Dashboard)
• Internal Affairs
• Quartermaster and Fleet
• Hiring and Recruiting
• Training
• Tacoma Police Department’s Harrison Range

The Tacoma Police Investigations Bureau is committed to the “Community Oriented Policing” philosophy and conducts follow-up investigations on reports generated by the Patrol Division. The Investigative Bureau has four Sections in the Criminal Investigations Division.

• Go to the TPD Services web page if you need contact information, if you need to report a crime, or if you are following up on a crime report or police interaction.

Criminal Investigations Division

• Violent Crimes Section
  • Homicide
  • Felony Assaults
  • PCFIT
  • Missing Persons
  • Special Assaults Unit

• Major Crimes Section
  • Robbery
  • Burglary
  • Financial Crimes
  • Arson
  • Juvenile Crimes
  • Court Order Service Unit
  • General Duties

• Special Investigations Section
  • Narcotics Trafficking
  • Prostitution/Human Trafficking
  • Gambling

• Forensic Services Section

The Operations Bureau is committed to community policing and transformation for the betterment of all community members. The bureau has two divisions.

• Go to the TPD Services web page if you need contact information, if you need to report a crime, or if you are following up on a crime report or police interaction.

Patrol Division – responsible for handling calls for service, conducting preliminary criminal investigations, responding to emergencies, enforcing traffic laws and investigating accidents.

Community Policing Division – responsible for handling neighborhood and business concerns and building one-on-one relationships with community members to enhance safety in neighborhoods and business districts.

• Go to the TPD Services web page and jump to the Community Policing Services section to get more information about your neighborhood’s Community Policing contacts.

• Community Liaison Officers
  • North Area– Led by Lieutenant R. Kim
  • South Area– Led by Lieutenant B. Mires

• Partnering with Other City Departments
  • Neighborhood and Community Services
  • Tax and License
  • Code Enforcement