April 16th, 2026

School Resource Officer Program Update

I would like to take a moment to provide an update to the community regarding the Tumwater Police Department’s School Resource Officer (SRO) Program and how services are currently being delivered to the Tumwater School District with one assigned SRO.

For some background, one SRO position was temporarily reassigned to patrol duty due to a significant staffing shortage within the department. While this reassignment is temporary, it understandably generated concern among community members and the Tumwater School District Board of Directors. In response, meetings were held with the Tumwater School District Superintendent to ensure there was a shared understanding of the circumstances, the necessity of the reassignment, and how SRO services would continue to support Tumwater schools during this period.

On Tuesday, April 14, representatives from the Tumwater City Council, Tumwater Police Department, Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, and 2 members of the Tumwater School District Board of Directors met to discuss several topics, including an update on the Tumwater SRO Program. This meeting had been in the planning stages for many months and was intended to bring together multiple governmental partners to work collaboratively toward a shared goal. The discussion was thoughtful, productive, and encouraged optimism regarding future collaboration with the School District.

During the meeting, I addressed the perception versus the reality of temporarily reassigning one SRO and the concern that it would significantly impact school safety or services. Since the reassignment, our remaining SRO has continued to provide an exceptional level of service. To date, I have not been notified by Tumwater School District staff of any calls for service, incidents, or investigations that have not been appropriately addressed by the SRO or supported by our patrol division.

Looking ahead, the Tumwater Police Department remains confident that our current SRO is effectively meeting the needs of Tumwater schools and is capable of providing comprehensive services until staffing levels allow for the assignment of a second SRO. I firmly believe that Tumwater officers should be serving in Tumwater schools, and with continued cooperation and partnership with the Tumwater School District, I am confident we can continue to succeed.

In closing, I believe the City of Tumwater, the Tumwater Police Department, and the Tumwater School District all share a commitment to serving our community and serving our students. When we work together, we are more effective, more efficient, and better positioned to meet the needs of our children

Community members are encouraged to view the meeting recording on the City of Tumwater’s YouTube page City Council Joint Meeting with TSD April 14 2026.

Carlos Quiles
Acting Police Chief
Tumwater Police Department