Chief Avery Moore's resignation and Tacoma's next steps

This list of stories illustrates issues surrounding former Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore, including his use of a city-issued phone on vacation and his eventual resignation. The city paid nearly $480,000 as part of Moore’s resignation agreement while grappling with union criticism about his leadership. With his departure, Tacoma appointed interim chief Patti Jackson.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore poses for a portrait at the Tacoma Police Department Headquarters on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, in Tacoma, Wash. By Pete Caster

NO. 1: EX-TACOMA POLICE CHIEF GOT BIG PAYOUT TO RESIGN. CITY LEADERS WON’T COMMENT

Avery Moore walked away with nearly a half million dollars in exchange for his promise not to sue, among other things. | Published April 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Peter Talbot

NO. 2: TACOMA HIRED AN OUTSIDE FIRM TO INVESTIGATE ITS EX-POLICE CHIEF. IT COST THE CITY $11K

Avery Moore was determined not to have deliberately misled officials about his pricey work-phone bill. | Published February 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shea Johnson

Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore (right) and Deputy Chief Paul Junger address the city’s new crime prevention plan during the Hosmer Business Association meeting at the Tacoma Nursing & Rehabilitation Center on Hosmer Street in Tacoma, Washington on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. By Tony Overman

NO. 3: DID TPD CHIEF ‘DELIBERATELY MISLEAD’ CITY OVER $1K+ PHONE BILL? HERE’S WHAT PROBE FOUND

The city hired an outside investigator to determine Avery Moore’s truthfulness in a September meeting. | Published January 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shea Johnson

NO. 4: TACOMA POLICE UNION BLASTS CHIEF MOORE’S CLAIM THAT TPD LACKS ‘STAND-ALONE DRUG UNIT’

Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore made the remark during a recent budget discussion. | Published October 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter

Patti Jackson, the current Patrol Chief with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, is a candidate for Pierce County Sheriff. She is shown in Tacoma, Washington, on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. By Tony Overman

NO. 5: FORMER SHERIFF CANDIDATE PATTI JACKSON APPOINTED TACOMA’S INTERIM POLICE CHIEF

Tacoma City Manager Elizabeth Pauli announced the pick following former Police Chief Avery Moore’s resignation. | Published February 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Peter Talbot

NO. 6: MAYOR VICTORIA WOODARDS VOICES SUPPORT FOR TPD CHIEF AVERY MOORE: ‘NOT LOST MY TRUST’

The comment comes following an investigation into Tacoma’s top cop for personal use of a “city asset.” | Published October 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter

NO. 7: TACOMA POLICE CHIEF SUBMITS RESIGNATION TO CITY MANAGER, TO STEP DOWN FEB. 3

“After 35 incredible years in law enforcement, I have made the heartfelt decision to step away from this noble profession and transition into the next chapter of my life,” Avery Moore said in his resignation letter. | Published January 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shea Johnson

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.