Tacoma police’s interim chief will begin leading Friday after start date was delayed
Patti Jackson will begin leading the Tacoma Police Department as its interim chief starting Friday, the city announced. Her start date was pushed back from late February due to delays related to a background check.
It’s unclear when Jackson will be formally sworn in at police headquarters. In a news release issued Thursday afternoon, the city said the Police Department would announce the date as soon as possible.
Jackson, 60, was tapped to be interim chief while the city goes through a recruitment process to select the next permanent police chief. Jackson will lead until the city manager identifies a chief and the City Council confirms that person. Officials have said the process would begin in March. On Thursday, spokesperson Maria Lee said an update would be provided soon for when recruitment would get underway.
In a brief phone call, Jackson told The News Tribune she would be “starting to get her feet wet” Friday with introductions to police officers at shift turnouts, where officers typically exchange information on patrol activity and investigations. Jackson said she had an orientation to go through Monday.
The Police Department’s interim chief comes to the job after former Police Chief Avery Moore resigned in January, ending his three years as the city’s top cop. In the meantime, it has been led by acting chiefs, Deputy Chief Paul Junger and Assistant Police Chief Frank Krause.
Jackson previously worked as patrol chief in the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, and before that she oversaw the county jail as Corrections Bureau chief for eight years. Altogether, she spent 35 years working for the Sheriff’s Office. Last year she had an unsuccessful run at being elected county sheriff while running against former Seattle Police Department Capt. Keith Swank.
This story was originally published March 6, 2025 at 5:27 PM.
