Today marks an important milestone for the Tumwater Police Department and the community we proudly serve. I am pleased to announce that, following a comprehensive seven‑month implementation process, Tumwater Police Officers are now equipped with body‑worn cameras while in the field.

The deployment of body‑worn cameras enhances officer capabilities, supports accurate documentation of community interactions, and further strengthens transparency in our daily operations. This technology reflects our continued commitment to professionalism, accountability, and public trust.

In accordance with Tumwater Police Department Policy 539, officers wear body‑worn cameras in a fixed position on the front torso, allowing for the reasonable capture of accurate recordings. Officers are required to make every reasonable effort to activate their cameras when engaged in law enforcement actions. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Self‑initiated law enforcement activities, such as traffic stops, field interviews, and citizen contacts
• Any contact that becomes adversarial following an initial interaction that would otherwise not be recorded
• Dispatched calls for service resulting in in‑person contact, unless an exception applies as outlined in policy
• Attempting to detain or arrest an individual
• Any circumstance in which the officer reasonably believes a recording would be appropriate
• Custodial interviews of adults for felony offenses
• Custodial interviews of juveniles for any offense
• When directed by a supervisor

The successful implementation of this vital technology would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of many partners. I would like to sincerely thank:

• The Tumwater community
• Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff
• The Tumwater City Council
• The Tumwater Police Guild

This project demonstrates that open communication, cooperation, and collaboration truly benefit everyone involved. The Tumwater Police Department is proud to join our law enforcement partners throughout Thurston County in utilizing body‑worn camera technology to better serve our community.

Carlos Quiles
Acting Police Chief
Tumwater Police Department