TPD Deputy Chief Paul Junger has returned to duty after investigation, police confirm
Deputy Chief Paul Junger returned to work at the Tacoma Police Department on Wednesday, roughly three weeks after being placed on paid administrative leave.
TPD spokesperson Shelbie Boyd confirmed the news when contacted by The News Tribune on the morning of Nov. 13. Boyd said there was “not sufficient information” to warrant keeping Junger on leave. No other details were immediately available.
Chief Avery Moore sent the department an email in late October announcing that he’d placed Junger on administrative leave “pending the outcome of an investigation.” Questions remain as to what prompted the move and what the probe found.
The News Tribune reached out to Junger and Moore for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Moore was placed on paid administrative leave in late September, The News Tribune previously reported. Junger served as acting chief during that time.
News of the deputy chief’s return is the latest development in a series of unflattering TPD-related headlines. Two of the department’s highest-ranking members were placed on leave in rapid succession, and a local police union has publicly countered claims made by Moore in recent weeks.
City Manager Elizabeth Paul revealed in early October that an investigation had been launched into the chief’s personal use of a city asset. Moore returned to the office a week after being placed on leave, following a verbal counseling.
Subsequent reporting revealed that Pauli met with Moore in the days leading up to his leave. Documents show that the discussion involved money: namely, the more than $1,000 in charges that Moore racked up on his work phone during an international vacation.
Junger has served as deputy chief since May 2022, having followed Moore from the Dallas Police Department. He works under the direction of the chief, assisting “in the overall direction of the department’s internal operations” and acting to evaluate, develop, formulate and implement TPD policies, objectives and goals, among other responsibilities, per the city’s website.
After The News Tribune contacted TPD for comment, Moore sent an email to the department announcing Junger’s return.
“I appreciate everyone’s patience and professionalism during this time,” he wrote.
