Join Tacoma PD
The Tacoma Police Department is on a mission to reflect and protect our community. We are actively working to find and hire new and experienced officers who reflect the diversity of Tacoma. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
We offer highly competitive pay and benefits. We are committed to helping every officer grow, advance, and create a meaningful career.
Apply Now
If you’re considering a career in policing or you’re an experienced officer with a heart to do first-rate community protection, we invite you to apply. Come be a part of the Tacoma Police.
Entry Level Exceptional Lateral Officer
- Hiring Bonus: Receive a total of $50,000 incentive. Distributed as $25,000 upon date of hire, $12,500 upon completion of your probationary period and the remaining $12,500 one year after probation.
- If hired in 2026: Eligible hires will receive a one-time allocation of 80 Floating Holiday hours on their hire date.
Hiring Process
Policing has a big impact on society, so our hiring process is longer and more in-depth than most civilian jobs. But don’t count yourself out. If you’re a caring and hard-working person who wants a career that asks you to perform at your physical, mental, and relational best, we’re looking for people just like you.
Hiring Standards Drug Use Standards Driving Standards-
New recruits and lateral officers must apply for positions within the Tacoma Police Department through Governmentjobs.com. Links are located above in the ‘Apply Now’ section of this website.
Applicants must meet the Minimum Requirements described below.
General Requirements
- You must be a United States citizen or Permanent resident;
- You must possess a high school diploma or GED;
- You must be at least 21 years of age by date of appointment;
- You must be able to meet the physical requirements and medical standards prescribed by the City of Tacoma and Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
Licenses & Certifications
- You must possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license at the time of application. A valid Washington State driver’s license is required for employment (with maintenance thereafter) and driving history will be thoroughly assessed during the hiring process.
Physical Requirements
- Above-average physical endurance in running, climbing, and lifting as well as good balance, hearing, and vision.
- Work includes indoor and outdoor environments.
- Employees will have a work schedule that will consist of working Holidays, weekends, and various shifts. Depending on staffing and seniority.
- Incumbents in this classification may be exposed to gunfire, toxic chemicals, traffic hazards, and occasional driving at high speeds.
Knowledge & Skills
- Fluent English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
- Principles, practices, and procedures used in police work.
- State, County, and City laws and ordinances.
- Recent legislation and court decisions affecting police duties.
- Traffic and crowd control techniques.
- Rules of evidence and laws or arrest.
- Operation of a variety of specialized police vehicles and equipment.
- Crime scene preservation and investigation methods and techniques.
- Basic First Aid procedures.
- Operation of a personal computer.
- Prepare clear and concise reports.
- Maintain proficiency in driving and in the use of firearms in accordance with department guidelines.
- Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Understand the scope of authority.
- Relate effectively to people of a variety of cultures, languages, abilities, and social-economic situations.
- Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
- Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
- Comply with safety standards and regulations.
If you have questions or concerns about Minimum Qualifications or disqualifying factors, a TPD recruiting officer is available to provide insights and to discuss the process further.
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The City of Tacoma will pay applicant test fees for both the written exam and physical ability test (PAT) ONLY for those exams as follows:
- In-person written exam administered at a PST test site throughout the Pacific Northwest
- Virtual written exam administered via PST’s online in-home testing program
- In-person physical ability test (PAT) administered at a PST test site throughout the Pacific Northwest
- Virtual physical ability test (V-PAT) via PST’s V-PAT in-home testing
- If you passed the LEO written exam and PAT within the past six months, you may add Tacoma PD under certain conditions. Check your PST account under “New Positions”.
Candidates must pass the written exam with a score of 70% or above. Candidates must also successfully complete the following Physical Ability Test. The PAT administered by PST is the same test that is required for entrance into the Basic Law Enforcement Academy.
- You must successfully complete the minimum number of correct repetitions for each individual PAT event.
- You must successfully pass each event. Failing one event will constitute a failure of the PAT.
- There are no “maximum scores” for the events.
Event # of repetitions Event #1 Push-Ups – 90 seconds 20 Event #2 Sit-Ups – 90 seconds 25 Event #3 Squat Thrusts – 3 minutes 35 -
This in-house workshop reviews the entire hiring process in detail to include a mock oral board with feedback.
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Applicants who have applied and met the City’s minimum qualifications will be sent a Personal History Statement via e-mail. The applicant must follow all instructions, check their e-mail regularly, and meet set deadlines. Failure to follow the requested processes may result in disqualification.
Veterans Preference
Applicants eligible for veterans scoring criteria (Veterans Preference) MUST attach a copy of their DD-214 member copy 4 (proof of military discharge form) at the time of application to be eligible for review for Veteran’s Preference Points.
If you have questions or concerns about the Personal History Questionnaire, a TPD recruiting officer can provide insights and discuss the process further. Just reach out to us using the contact form below.
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The Oral Board (OB) is a formal interview. Unlike the Physical Ability Test (PAT) and other group-oriented steps in the process, the OB is the first opportunity for the applicant to meet with TPD personnel as an individual. Candidates must score a 70% or higher to continue in the application process. To ensure that all applicants are treated fairly, TPD does not ask follow-up questions.
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The Suitability Assessment is an online test designed to understand the psychology of the applicant. The results of this test are not publicized.
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A complete background investigation typically includes:
- Personal/professional references
- Driving record (since inception of driving)
- Employment history
- Credit check
- Drug use history
- Criminal history
- Home check (interview with spouse/significant other)
If you have questions or concerns about a background check, a TPD recruiting officer is available to provide insights and to discuss the process further.
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Final Offer of Employment (FOE)
Once the polygrapher, medical doctor, and psychologist verify that the applicant meets the department’s standards, the applicant is notified and a date and time for the applicant to receive their Final Offer of Employment (FOE) from the Tacoma Chief of Police.
If you have questions or concerns about the Offer of Employment phase, a TPD recruiting officer is available to provide insights and to discuss the process further.
- Entry Level Exceptional Lateral Officer
Employment Benefits
The Tacoma Police Department offers highly competitive pay and benefits. We are committed to helping every officer grow, advance, and create a meaningful career. We are proud to provide our officers with competitive compensation packages, incentive pay, reimbursements, and a variety of insurance plans*. If you work as an officer elsewhere, you’ll likely find it hard for the pay and benefits to compete with what we offer.
Benefits Sheet Apply Now-
Lateral Officer Base Pay
- In-state lateral officer: $62.53/hr
- Out-of-state lateral officer: $59.55/hr
New Officer Base Pay
- New Recruit (0-6 months): $47.39/hr
- Commissioned (7-12 months): $54.02/hr
- Commissioned (12+ months): $56.72/hr
Longevity Pay
- 5 -9 years – 2%
- 10 -14 years – 4%
- 15 – 19 years – 6%
- 20 + years – 8%
- 25 + years (mentor) – 10%
Incentives & Rate Applications
- LEOFF II Disability/Retirement – 1%
- TPD Accreditation – 2%
- Bi-Lingual – 2%
- Education or Military – 2%
- Swing Shift Differential – 5%
- CJTC Training Officer – 3%
- Night Shift Differential – 5%
- SWAT Team – 5%
- Lab Team – 5%
- Search & Rescue Team – 5%
- Motorcycle Officer – 5%
- Bomb Technician – 5%
- K-9 Officer – 5%
- Police Training Officer – 4%
- MSU/Dive Team – 5%
Additional Pay & Benefits
- Clothing & Uniform Allowance ($690/year)
- Shooting Pay ($120/year)
- Deferred Compensation Plan ($238/paycheck)*
*The City of Tacoma matches up to $238 per paycheck. For instance, if you contribute $100 per paycheck, the City will match $100 per paycheck If you contribute $300 per paycheck, the City will contribute $238 per paycheck
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Medical Coverage
Tacoma offers full medical benefits for Police Officers and their families, children age 26 or younger.
Dental Coverage
Tacoma offers excellent dental coverage for Police Officers and their families, children age 26 or younger with no premium cost.
Vision Coverage
Tacoma offers vision plan coverage based on your health plan election for Police Officers, spouse/domestic partner, and children up to age 26. There is no employee cost for vision coverage.
Wellness Programs
Tacoma Police Officers have access to a full-time psychologist and peer support network. In addition, the City of Tacoma offers a robust Wellness Program that provides education, motivation, and tolls to improve well-being and to earn incentives such as a premium credit to reduce the cost employees pay for their health insurance coverage.
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Vacation Leave
Vacation leave is accrued based on tenure, starting with 12 days per year. Time is prorated for mid-year hires.
Holiday Leave
In addition, Police Officers receive 13 ten-hour holidays per year that may be used at the Officer’s discretion.
Paid Sick/FMLA
Paid Sick Time is accrued per pay period and prorated for mid-year hires. Typically, Officers accrue 12 days per year.
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Tacoma Police Department currently allows Officers to take home their assigned patrol car. Officers must have completed the Police Training Officer program and live within Pierce County or 30 miles from the city limits. The program allows the department to continue its community-oriented protection philosophy, enhance police response times, and improve efficiency.
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Income can be set aside on a pre-tax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income. Contributions to a 457(b) plan are tax-deferred and earnings on the retirement money are tax-deferred.
A 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan offered by the City of Tacoma, created to allow you to put aside money from each paycheck toward retirement. Contributions are made to the account in your name via payroll deduction for the exclusive benefit of you and your beneficiaries. The value of the account is based on your contributions made and your investment performance over time.
A deferred compensation plan can help bridge the gap between what you have in your pension and Social Security, and how much you’ll need in retirement. Depending on what plan you choose, your contributions may be pre-tax or post-tax.
LEOFF Plan 2
Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System (LEOFF) Plan 2 is a lifetime retirement pension plan available to law enforcement officer and firefighters in Washington. You, your employer and the state contribute a percentage of income to fund the plan.
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Life Insurance
The City of Tacoma provides you with two forms of employer-paid Life Insurance benefits for you and your designated beneficiaries in the event of your death. You can secure with the knowledge that your family will be taken care of should you die unexpectedly.
In addition to the basic life and AD&D insurance policies, the City of Tacoma offers access to voluntary employee-paid Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance benefits at group rates, for you and your family members.
Disability Insurance
Officers receive additional pay in lieu of Long-term Disability (LTD) insurance that is passed on to the union, which provides LTD benefit options. New recruits have access to the City of Tacoma’s LTD coverage until they become Commissioned Officers. LTD benefits provide for the replacement of income in the event you are not able to work.
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IUPA Local 6
The primary mission of I.U.P.A. Local 6 is to represent and advocate for our members in collective bargaining and connect our members to the communities they serve. In addition to local Advocacy & Representation, Wellness & Insurance, Financial Security, Opportunity, and Community, Local 6 is part of the International Union of Police Associations.
Community Commitments
We are committed to changing for the good of every community member. We acknowledge that change is overdue in our profession and improvement is needed in our department. Law enforcement in America doesn’t have a record of treating all people fairly. It’s more than unfortunate — it’s wrong. Here’s what we’re doing about it.
How We're Changing
Our Community Outreach
Contact Us
If you have questions about applying or becoming a TPD officer, we’d love to connect with you. Please fill out the information below or reach out directly to Officer Taylor Reeves at (253) 830-6596.
TPD Contact Us
This form is for recruitment purposes only
Apply Online
Entry Level Exceptional Lateral OfficerThe Tacoma Police Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other basis.
Visit the Tacoma Police Department’s website to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This list is established by the Human Resources Department and is based on the written test score and military experience of candidates. Candidates are ranked by numbers and more than one candidate may be in one rank. For example, an eligibility list may have two candidates in Rank 1, eight candidates in Rank 2, and so on.
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The Tacoma Police Department is an equal opportunity employer. Any candidate who is physically and cognitively able to meet the requirements of the position is welcome to apply. It would be impractical to list all of the various medical standards a candidate must meet. However, vision and hearing standards generate the most inquiries.
- Visual Acuity – The minimum acceptable standard of distant visual acuity must be 20/200 binocular vision uncorrected, but not less than 20/200 in the worst eye. Such vision must be corrected to 20/20 in the best eye, and not less than 20/40 in the worst eye.
- Hearing Acuity – The applicant must have unaided, or aided, hearing between zero (0) and twenty-five (25) decibels for each ear at the frequencies of five hundred (500) Hz, one thousand (1,000) Hz, two thousand (2,000) Hz, and three thousand (3,000) Hz.
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- Drug History – An applicant may be disqualified for possession of drugs depending on the number of times the drug is possessed, the type of drugs possessed, and how long ago the possession occurred. Possession is defined as control, touching, holding, selling, trafficking, or transporting any illegal non-prescribed drug.
- Driving History – An applicant’s driving record will be thoroughly assessed and may be a factor for disqualification. We look at the number of infractions an applicant has received, the frequency of infractions, the type of infractions, and how long ago the infractions occurred.
- Criminal History – An applicant may be disqualified based upon their criminal history including all arrests, prosecutions, deferred prosecutions, Alford pleas, and non-conviction information. The type of crime, frequency of crime, and how long ago the crime occurred are reviewed and may be considered a disqualifier.
- Credit History – An applicant may be disqualified based upon their current credit history. Accounts that are currently in collections may be considered a disqualifier.
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Yes! The hiring process for out-of-state officers is the same as for in-state officers. Typically, in-state officers complete several steps of the process in person. We will work with you to complete as many steps as possible remotely. Your attention to detail, responsiveness, and communication will be key to getting hired quickly.
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No. The Tacoma Police Department does not have an age cut-off for new or lateral officers. However, entry level applicants must pass the Physical Ability Test (PAT). The PAT is an evaluation tool for us to gauge your ability to participate in the physical requirements expected for the position.
Tacoma Police Department on Social Media
Follow us to get the latest news, information, and updates from the Tacoma Police Department.
Homicide Investigation – 1100 Block of South I Street
Tacoma, WA – At approximately 4:49 a.m. on February 4, 2026, Tacoma Police officers responded to the 1100 block of South I Street for a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers located a victim with apparent gunshot wounds. ...Officers immediately began lifesaving measures until Tacoma Fire Department personnel arrived and transported the victim to a local hospital. A short time later, the victim was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Detectives and Crime Scene Technicians are actively investigating this incident as a homicide. Anyone with information related to this case is asked to call 911.
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Homicide Investigation – 1100 Block of South I Street
Tacoma, WA – At approximately 4:49 a.m. on February 4, 2026, Tacoma Police officers responded to the 1100 block of South I Street for a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers located a victim with apparent gunshot
It’s official! Chief Patti Jackson has been confirmed as our new Police Chief! Her leadership emphasizes community and trust, and we’re excited for this next chapter where together, we will build safer, stronger Tacoma.
Homicide Investigation – 1200 Block of South I Street
Tacoma, WA – At approximately 9:40 AM on February 1, 2026, Tacoma Police responded to an address in the 1200 block of S I street for a report of an unresponsive male. Officers arrived on scene and located a male victim.
Homicide Investigation – 1200 Block of South I Street
Tacoma, WA – At approximately 9:40 AM on February 1, 2026, Tacoma Police responded to an address in the 1200 block of S I street for a report of an unresponsive male. Officers arrived on scene and located a male victim. Tacoma Fire... Department personnel arrived and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.
Detectives and Crime Scene Technicians are actively investigating this incident as a homicide. Anyone with information related to this case is asked to call 911.
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ON THIS DAY
On this day in 1985, officers responded to the 1000 block of N. Prospect St., where a man attacked his wife and slashed his 12-year-old stepson in the head with a knife. The boy fled to a neighbor’s house while the man fatally shot his wife. He then walked to the neighbor’s... house and shot a 23-year-old woman as she hid in a bathroom with the boy. Officers Craig Nollmeyer and William Taylor arrived and positioned themselves at the corner of N. 11th and Prospect. In the meantime, the man moved to the alley behind his house. Observing Officer Nollmeyer on foot, the man raised his .44 magnum revolver and pulled the trigger, but the weapon did not fire. Hearing the gun click, Officer Nollmeyer apparently thought it was out of bullets, but the next round fired, striking the 33-year-old officer in the head and killing him instantly. Officer Taylor and other officers returned fire and struck the man four times. The man survived and was later convicted of murder.
Officer Craig Nollmeyer: End of Watch, January 24, 1985
Gone But Not Forgotten
ON THIS DAY
On this day in 1957, Sergeant L. Ben Overdahl was off-duty, in plain clothes, having a cup of coffee at a restaurant in the 1100 block of South K Street. An employee of the restaurant requested his assistance in dealing with a drunk man who was bothering customers. Sgt. ...Overdahl was unable to quiet the man, so he placed him under arrest and led the man outside to a nearby call box. A struggle ensued, and Sgt. Overdahl collapsed from a heart attack. As the drunk fled, a taxi driver provided aid to the officer, but the 26-year veteran of the Tacoma Police Department was pronounced dead on arrival at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Sergeant L. Ben Overdahl: End of Watch, January 22, 1957
Gone But Not Forgotten
Tacoma Police Arrest Suspect in Series of Robberies Targeting Elderly Women
Tacoma, Wash. – The Tacoma Police Department arrested an adult male following an extensive investigation into a series of robberies targeting elderly women.
Tacoma Police arrested the suspect after ...receiving multiple reports from elderly women who were approached and robbed of cash and purses. Once detectives identified a possible suspect, they intensified investigative efforts, including surveillance, and developed probable cause for an arrest.
On January 16, 2026, detectives, along with the Tacoma Police Special Investigations Unit, followed the suspect to the area of 121st Street and Meridian, where he parked in the lot of a Cash America business. As officers moved in, the suspect put on a balaclava and armed himself with a firearm, appearing to prepare to continue his crime spree.
Officers surrounded the suspect, who attempted to flee by ramming police vehicles with the stolen vehicle he was driving. Officers acted quickly and safely took the suspect into custody.
The adult male was booked into the Pierce County Jail and charged with 47 total counts, including:
• Four counts of Robbery in the Second Degree
• Six counts of Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree
• Twenty-five counts of Identity Theft in the Second Degree
• Two counts of Attempting to Elude a Pursuing Police Vehicle
• Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree
• Two counts of Reckless Driving
• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 1st Degree
• Possession of a Stolen Firearm
• Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Vehicle
• Theft in the Third Degree
• Resisting Arrest
• Making or Possessing Motor Vehicle Theft Tools
Additional charges remain under investigation.
During the investigation, unclaimed property believed to be connected to these crimes was recovered. Anyone who believes they may be a victim, or who can identify property taken during a crime, is encouraged to contact the Tacoma Police Department at 253 830 6576. Detectives are working to reunite recovered property with its rightful owners.
Safety Reminder:
The Tacoma Police Department encourages community members, especially older adults, to remain aware of their surroundings and trust their instincts. If approached by someone who makes you feel uncomfortable or attempts to distract, pressure, or isolate you, seek help immediately. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash, keep purses and wallets secure, and consider traveling with a companion when possible.
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