‘I’m here to stay.’ Patti Jackson sworn into office as Tacoma’s interim police chief
Tacoma Police Department Interim Chief Patti Jackson was sworn into office Wednesday morning at police headquarters, telling a crowd of attendees that she would lead with integrity, accountability and respect.
Jackson, 60, raised her right hand while she formally took her oath of office before Tacoma City Manager Elizabeth Pauli in an atrium filled with at least 100 onlookers, including former sheriffs, current City Council members and other leaders. Jackson then was pinned with a badge by former Police Chief Don Ramsdell.
In brief remarks, Jackson thanked the Tacoma community for trusting her with the responsibility and the men and women of the department for their dedication to their jobs.
“Tacoma is my home, and just like you I want to see this city thrive,” Jackson said. “I want people to feel safe. I want them to trust that we’ll show up not just in times of crisis but every day with professionalism, with compassion and a commitment to doing what’s right.”
Jackson said the Police Department had accomplished great things and there was more work ahead. She said progress could be achieved by moving forward together with “trust, honesty and a shared vision to serve.”
“Thank you so much for this opportunity and this honor,” Jackson said. “Thank you so much for believing in me. I will not let you down.”
Speaking to news reporters before the ceremony, Jackson expressed interest in leading the Police Department beyond her term as interim chief. She also said if she wasn’t the best fit for the department, she would step aside.
“As a leader, you have to also be able to assess what your value is to the department,” Jackson told reporters. “I am here to stay. I am here to stay.”
The timeline for selecting who will succeed former Police Chief Avery Moore is uncertain. City of Tacoma officials have said the recruitment process would start in March but have not provided further updates.
The city manager will identify the next chief, and the pick will be confirmed by City Council, but Pauli is expected to retire in July, and it’s unclear if it will be up to an interim city manager to identify a chief or if the city will wait until there is a permanent successor.
A city spokesperson said Wednesday that Pauli had a medical appointment after Jackson’s ceremony and was not available to take questions.
Jackson is in her second week on the job. She started March 7 after Pauli announced in February that Jackson would lead the Police Department in the wake of Moore’s resignation. According to a city spokesperson, Jackson’s annual salary for the position is $326,934, the same pay rate Moore received before he resigned. That’s $27,244.50 per month.
In the press conference, Jackson said her first week had been “amazing” and “surreal.” She said she got familiar with police headquarters, 3701 S. Pine St., and went to turnouts for all three shifts, where officers typically exchange information.
“Just letting people know I’m not coming with anything new and profound,” Jackson said. “I’m going to spend this time to get acclimated.”
Jackson worked for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office for over 35 years, primarily in the Corrections Bureau, where she oversaw the County Jail as chief for eight years. Last year she ran to be county sheriff but lost the election to former Seattle Police Department Capt. Keith Swank.
Pauli previously said she believed Jackson was “uniquely positioned” to bring informed leadership and a fresh perspective to the Police Department during this transition.
Asked about that decision, Jackson talked about bringing the department an outsider’s eye combined with her familiarity with some men and women of TPD she’d come into contact with while at the Sheriff’s Office.
“I think that the trust — at least ground level — is there,” Jackson said. “I still have to earn it and keep building on that. But I think that that’s a big positive.”
In response to questions about Pauli’s decision to tap an outsider to lead the Police Department rather than choosing someone from the department’s leadership team, City Council Member Sandesh Sadalge, who attended Wednesday’s ceremony, sent The News Tribune the following statement.
“I am very pleased to welcome Chief Patti Jackson as interim Police Chief, and I look forward to working with her,” Sadalge said. “We are dedicated to creating a comprehensive, transparent, and community-centered process for selecting our permanent Police Chief. We recognize the importance of community engagement in this critical selection and will be working diligently to build a process that reflects that. This is an important part of continuing the Tacoma Police Department’s efforts to build trust and strong partnerships with our community.”
A number of current and former Tacoma and Pierce County dignitaries attended Wednesday’s ceremony, including former Sheriff Paul Pastor, who spoke during the event, praising Jackson’s ability to strike a balance between delivering effective public safety while also doing it fairly and equitably.
Also in attendance were City Council Members Jamika Scott, County Prosecutor Mary Robnett, Superior Court Judge Philip Sorensen and former Sheriff Ed Troyer. A spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office said Swank was in an all-day training Wednesday, but that he told the office that anyone could attend, and several representatives were at the event with cards and flowers. Mayor Victoria Woodards was reportedly out of town.
Pastor, who was sheriff before Troyer, said everyone in attendance was there to witness a “serious commitment” to the department, its men and women and the people of Tacoma. He said he worked with Jackson for many years and had seen what she is capable of. Pastor said it would take more than her commitment alone to move forward.
“Work with her and she will work with you,” Pastor said. “And we will see an even stronger, even better Tacoma Police Department.”
Ramsdell also spoke, saying it was an honor to be involved in a historic moment within the Police Department. He said Jackson was joining a “professional, progressive and respectful” department.
Jackson is the first woman to lead TPD as interim chief, according to a Police Department spokesperson. Officer Shelbie Boyd said other women have served as acting chief for short periods, but Jackson is the first to be appointed to the higher position of interim chief.
Speaking to reporters, Jackson was asked if it mattered that she was a woman in that position.
“I think that that’s to the person,” Jackson said. “That’s to each person, kind of how they feel about that. I think there are communities that are ready to change and be accepting and there’s some people that say you know if you get the job on merit, I don’t care if you’re a man or a woman.”
“I think that I have shown and proven that I have the skills and ability to do this job,” she added.
Deputy Chief Paul Junger gave a brief speech before Jackson’s ceremony, which opened with an invocation from Chaplain Chris Lunsford.
Junger said today marked a “new chapter” for the department.
“I’m truly honored to stand here as we formally welcome Interim Chief Jackson into this role and trusting her with this legacy,” Junger said. “A role to reduce crime and build community trust while making it a point of pride to be an officer again.”
This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 12:50 PM.
