If you were passing by the station at around 5:00pm on Wednesday this week, you may have wondered what was happening as sixteen police vehicles left the station with lights and sirens running.  Fortunately, we weren’t responding to a crime. We were off to have fun with sixteen local kids. 

Shop with a Cop is an annual tradition for TPD. Every year at this time, we get to spend an evening with grade school and middle school children, taking them shopping for gifts for their families, eating pizza, and playing games.  It’s a huge event that takes the entire year to plan.  We started the night by driving the kids to a local store with full lights and sirens (but going at the speed limit, not at emergency response speed!)  After the shopping, it was all hands-on-deck back at Tumwater High School where an incredible number of packages were wrapped and tagged.  Once the “work” was done, it was time for more fun.  Games of red light-green light, limbo, and other challenges were played by both the kids and the officers. I am here to tell you…there were some really good limbo dancers in the room that night. Santa made a visit (aka: Officer Jim Moran) and a professional photographer was on hand to snap photos of Santa with each child and his or her officer. At the end of the night, both children and officers had had a terrific time.

Shop with a Cop is our favorite event of the year. First of all, it’s really fun to spend time with kids and to be able to make their holidays brighter. It is also a family event for TPD.  Many of our family members come to help wrap presents, assist with the food, and provide extra sets of hands. Most of all, we enjoy being able to provide a wonderful experience for children that they will remember far after the evening is over. 

I can’t believe the holidays are already upon us.  It is time for my annual reminders about travelling safely.  I looked at the weather report for Thanksgiving and it doesn’t look too bad – mainly rain on the west side of the state with some possible snow and rain in the passes.  But, it pays to be prepared for the unexpected.  Read on for tips and links to websites that can help you travel more safely this season.

Take your time
A major cause of vehicle collisions this time of year are people rushing to get to their destinations.  I get it – there are a million things on your mind and getting where you are going is an important part of your plans.  But, leaving ample time for all the things that slow you down, from traffic jams to bad weather, will both get you where you are going safely and, hopefully, with less stress.  So, plan ahead.  Check that your flights, or the ones you are meeting, are arriving on time.  Check out traffic apps to see how the roads are doing.  Check the weather so you know what to expect and can add time to your travel plans, if needed.  Here are some great resources to book-mark to help you determine how much time you need:

• SeaTac Flight Status – this link takes you to the flight status of any flight coming to or leaving from SeaTac.  It’s one-stop shopping regardless of the airline.
• WSDOT Real-Time Travel Data – this link takes you to the Washington State Department of Transportation webpage that gives you travel alerts, road conditions, ferry schedules, and anything that might get in your way of “getting there” on the highways or waterways.
• Amtrak Train Status – this link lets you look up the status of travel by Amtrak.  Before you leave to catch or meet your train at the Centennial AmTrak Station on Yelm Highway, check the status of the train.

Prepare for the weather
This time of year, the weather can be unpredictable. Depending on where you travel, you may go through multiple types of weather. Nothing ruins a trip like getting stranded without the equipment you need to stay safe regardless of the weather. Here are some tips:

• Know the weather for each part of your trip. It may be rainy and windy in western Washington, snowing in the mountains, and icy in Eastern Washington. Check your weather app for each stage of your journey. For the conditions of mountain passes, check WSDOT Mountain Pass Reports for real-time information.
• Prepare your vehicle. Have your brakes, oil, and anti-freeze levels checked before you go.  Now is the time to get new tires if you need them, or to consider having traction tires mounted.  Ice and snow can arrive unexpectedly, so carry chains even if you are not sure you will need them.  Have flares and other road markers in case you need to pull off to the side of the road.  The low light of a winter day, plus rain or snow can make visibility a real challenge.  Your best tool for staying safe when your vehicle is off the road is staying visible.

• Bring what you need to stay with your vehicle. In the bad-case scenario, you can get stuck in your vehicle due to poor weather conditions or vehicle malfunctions.  Before leaving on a road trip, be sure to pack the car with blankets to keep you warm, sufficient food and water for two days, any medicine you may need and a first aid kit, a cell phone charger, and something that will help your vehicle get traction on ice and snow, such as kitty litter or sand.  These emergency supplies may be essential to either resuming your journey or holding up until help arrives. The official US Government website Ready.gov is a great resource to help you prepare for emergencies and get ready for car travel.

Be aware of your surroundings
Whether you are in a busy airport, waiting on a crowded train platform, or driving on a busy highway, always stay aware of your surroundings.  Busy venues are excellent places for pick-pockets and other thieves to operate.  If you are preoccupied, it is also easy to leave your personal belongings behind.  Driving while distracted by a phone or anything else is a major cause of collisions on our freeways, a problem that is compounded by bad weather and heavy traffic.  Your mind may naturally be focused on your destination but take a moment to refocus on what is going on in the moment.  It may not only help reduce your stress levels, but it will also keep you safer.

I hope everyone has a terrific Thanksgiving!  Be safe.

November 14th, 2025: Concealed Pistol Licenses

One of the lesser-known duties that TPD performs is reviewing applications for Concealed Pistol Licenses, or CPLs. As the head of a local police department, I am responsible for issuing CPLs to people who live within the City of Tumwater who meet the requirements. Learn about the application process and the conditions that determine whether a CPL is granted.

In the State of Washington, it is illegal to carry a firearm concealed unless a person has a valid CPL (RCW 9.41.050).  A variety of state and federal laws restrict who may have a CPL. We must do a thorough background check to see if any disqualifiers apply to the person making a CPL application.  Some things that will generally disqualify someone from obtaining a CPL include having been convicted of a felony crime, currently being restrained by a valid protection order, and being the subject of an active arrest warrant. For a more detailed explanation of CPLs, the application process, and disqualifiers, see the Department of Licensing webpage about CPLs.

If you live in the City of Tumwater, you can apply for a CPL at the station. We are located right next to City Hall at 555 Israel Rd SW.  (You can also apply through the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.) To start with, you will need to complete an application. Applications are available on-line or you can pick up a hard-copy application at the TPD front counter. If you are applying for a new CPL, you will need to:

1. Verify that you live in the City of Tumwater
2. Schedule an appointment to have your fingerprints taken by calling our office at 360-754-4200
3. Present a completed application (or fill one out when you get here)
4. Provide a payment of $48 at the time you apply

We take fingerprints so that we can do a criminal background check. With your fingerprints, we can check state and national databases for your criminal history as well as other related information.  We use this information to determine if there are any disqualifiers in your history.  The background check is thorough and may take several weeks to complete. If there are no disqualifiers, we will approve your application and mail you your CPL. If you are not eligible to have a CPL, we will inform you, as well. We notify the Department of Licensing about all final applications, both those that are approved and those that are denied, who tracks CPLs for the entire state.

For renewals of existing CPLs, the process is simpler. You complete the same application as you do for a new CPL, but you don’t have to be fingerprinted. The fee is $32. It is lower because we don’t do fingerprinting. Similar to a new application, we will do a background check to make sure nothing has changed about your eligibility.

Our office staff frequently get questions about CPLs and they have collected the most common ones:

Can I use my expired CPL while waiting for the new one?
No. An expired CPL is not valid, even within the late renewal window. You may not carry concealed until your background check is completed and you receive your new CPL.

Will my hands get all inky when my fingerprints are taken?

No, we actually use an electronic system these days.  No more rolling your fingers in ink and then onto paper! Instead, we will roll your fingers on a machine that looks a little like a copy machine. Your prints are stored electronically and transmitted to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) who provides us with criminal history and other information.

Can I use fingerprints taken at another agency?
No, we cannot use prints taken elsewhere. We must take them ourselves.

Can I apply for my CPL at Tumwater Police if I am not a US citizen?
No. Permanent and temporary residents must apply for their CPL through the Thurston County Sheriff’s Department.

Can I have a refund if my application is denied?
No. We cannot refund fees paid for a denied application. Please be sure to read the full list of disqualifiers before applying.

I was convicted of a felony many years ago.  Is there a time limit on whether it will disqualify me from getting a CPL?

No. We must consider your entire criminal history. If you have a felony conviction anywhere in your history that disqualifies you from obtaining a CPL, you must file for a Restoration of Rights with the court before you may qualify for a CPL. For more information, contact the Thurston County Superior Court.

The laws that govern CPLs can be complex. Please call us if you have questions or want to know more.

Every year on November 11, we celebrate Veteran’s Day. We take this time to pause and honor the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Services. It’s a day of reflection, gratitude, and recognition for those who have dedicated themselves to protecting our rights and freedoms. There is a unique group of individuals who have continued their call to service both during and after their military service – veterans who have become police officers.

For many veterans, the decision to join law enforcement is a natural transition.  The discipline and sense of duty developed in the military often align closely with the values and responsibilities of police work.  Both professions demand integrity, teamwork, courage, and a deep commitment to protecting others.  At the same time, policing and military service have very different goals in the United States. The military’s primary purpose is to defend the country against external threats, to deter aggression against the national interest, and to fight wars. Conversely, law enforcement agencies are expected to enforce the federal, state, and local laws within their communities. Their mission is focused on public safety, crime prevention, and community caretaking. The military and law enforcement fall under different legal structures, as well. The military are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, while members of law enforcement are held to the same laws as the communities they serve.  Maintaining a clear distinction between the roles of the military and law enforcement is central to American democracy. The founders of the United States feared a military that could be used against its own civilians. At TPD, we ensure that applicants who are military veterans fully understand and embrace the differences between the two roles as part of the hiring process.

Many of TPD’s officers have served in the military and a few are still serving as reserve military members. Our Veteran officers have brought with them a wealth of experience that strengthens our department and our community.  Their training in leadership, problem-solving under pressure, and experience in conflict resolution allows them to serve effectively and compassionately as TPD members. Many of our veterans speak of a similar sense of purpose between the roles. They embrace the opportunity to help others and are honored by the trust our community has in them. In the Thurston County area, we have many military members and their families within our communities. Our staff who have military experience have a unique ability to relate to some of the stressors that may bring veterans to the attention of law enforcement. Military members, both active and former, have expressed their gratitude for the empathy that TPD officers have shown them.

On Tuesday, I hope you will join me in thanking everyone in our community who has served as a member of the armed forces. At TPD, we will be honoring all those who have served or are serving, including:

• Officer Jack Battumur, US Army
• Officer Tyler Brown, US Navy
• Officer Alix Holman, US Army
• Sergeant John Kenderesi, US Army
• Officer Jim Moran, US Air Force
• Acting Sergeant Pete Navarro, US Army
• Deputy Chief Carlos Quiles, US Marine Corps
• Officer Tim Rios, US Army
• Officer Jacob Rodriguez, US Army
• Officer Nathan Snyder, US Army
• Sergeant Chris Tressler, US Marine Corps

Happy Halloween! I hope everyone has a safe holiday. It is going to be a typical dark and rainy Pacific Northwest Halloween, so don’t forget to wear reflective costumes and carry flashlights tonight. This past week I learned a lot about the history of Halloween, particularly the trick or treat traditions we enjoy. I was surprised to find out that, at several times in history, community action helped keep the holiday from becoming disruptive and destructive. It’s a great history lesson in the important role the community plays in public safety. Read on… 

Halloween traditions came to the United States largely through immigration from Ireland and Scotland. These countries and their cultures have a long history of myths and legends about wandering spirits who needed to be kept at bay. In some celebrations, people disguised themselves with animal skins to drive away the spirits. They also left out food to appease them. Later, as Christianity spread throughout the British Isles, ancient traditions blended with church doctrine in All Saints Day, a time to honor the deceased. In some communities, people would receive food and drink in payment for praying for other people’s dead relatives. In other places, people donned costumes and received treats for performing a song or reciting a poem to celebrate the day.  Playing pranks also became popular. Teens and children played tricks on others, acting as the mischievous spirits, and asked for money from potential victims to leave them undisturbed.

By the time the Halloween tradition was introduced to the United States, treats had become less of a focus and tricks became more common. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, pranks were played in rural areas such as tipping over outhouses or pulling up garden vegetables. As cities began to grow larger and immigrant communities were concentrated in metropolitan areas, the tricky nature of Halloween became more unruly. Pranks led to property damage and sometimes were even dangerous to unsuspecting neighbors. By the 1930s, alarm over the behavior reached a high point and communities sought ways to let children celebrate the day while not damaging their neighborhoods. Parties for children on Halloween became popular and often several houses in a neighborhood would hold parties with children going house to house, party to party. After World War II, things had settled down, although tricks hadn’t gone away entirely. In parts of the United States, October 30 became Mischief Night and pranks such as soaping windows and throwing eggs at houses were played. In the 1970s and 80s, Detroit had problems with fires started around the city during the days surrounding Halloween. Community volunteers created robust and effective neighborhood watches that stopped this dangerous and destructive activity.

Today, our primary concern as a community is ensuring our trick or treaters are safe as they enjoy the holiday. I am happy to say that Tumwater neighborhoods and the Tumwater community do a great job keeping the super-heroes, ghosts, and cartoon characters safe while they roam the neighborhoods. TPD’s primary role tonight will be saying hello to the families enjoying the fun. We are always happy to see drivers driving carefully, parents and adults keeping a watchful eye on excited children as they cross the street, and the care that goes into lighting pathways. I hope everyone has fun!

Recently, our newest officer, Brittani Turner, graduated from the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA). Chief Mason, Deputy Chief Quiles, and Detective Lieutenant Kolb were on hand to congratulate Brittani on this big accomplishment. I am pleased to introduce Officer Turner to the Tumwater community. 

Brittani grew up in the Olympia area, graduating from Olympia High School.  Following high school, Brittani attended South Puget Sound Community College before transferring to St. Martin’s University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Following college, Brittani worked briefly as an emergency dispatcher and also worked as a personal trainer and gym manager. In 2024, Brittani returned to the criminal justice field, this time seeking an officer position. Criminal justice is a passion for Brittani and she has a strong desire to contribute to her community. While at the Academy, Brittani was noted to be a hard worker with a great attitude. She finished 3^rd in her class, an accomplishment that underscores her commitment to becoming part of the TPD team. 

Brittani has returned to TPD and is finishing her post-Academy training.  Earlier this week, Brittani experienced being exposed to both a Taser and pepper spray. These experiences are never pleasant, but they help officers understand the impact of using these tools. She is also spending time perfecting her Defensive Tactics skills which involves learning how to safely protect herself and her colleagues when it is necessary to take someone into custody. Brittani will spend next week learning how to police “the TPD way” and then will move into her first phase of Field Training. You will start to see her out and about in the community at the beginning of November.

When not soaking up a flood of information about how to be an officer, Brittani enjoys spending time with her family, her husband, and her toddler daughter.  Fitness has always been a big part of Brittani’s life and working out is another one of her past times.

We are happy to have Brittani back at the station and are excited to see how she grows as a TPD officer.

October is National Code Enforcement Appreciation Month and we are celebrating our code enforcement team. Our Code Enforcement officers play a vital role in keeping our community safe and healthy.

TPD is responsible for code compliance in the City of Tumwater. We have two part-time Code Enforcement officers who investigate violations of the Tumwater Municipal Code (TMC) that deal with health and safety issues, such as inoperable vehicles, overgrown vegetation, and dangerous buildings. Due to the small size of our program, we concentrate on those cases that are reported to us rather than patrolling to find violations. The City’s primary goal is to gain voluntary compliance with the TMC and to build community relations.  Enforcement action is the last option and can take the form of fines and legal action.

Code enforcement is complex. It generally involves civil laws, not criminal laws.  One of my goals with my weekly message is to educate our community about the work we do. Here are some of the top questions we receive about code enforcement and what they can, and cannot, help address:

Q: How do I report a code enforcement problem?

A: You can call our dispatch center, TCOMM, 24/7 on the non-emergency line at 360-704-2740.  Code enforcement officers work from 7:00am to 6:00pm.  If you call outside this timeframe, a code enforcement officer will return your call when they are on shift.

 

Q: What can I expect when a code enforcement officer investigates my complaint?

A: A code enforcement officer will talk to you about your concern to decide whether there is a code compliance issue. As you will see with some of the FAQs below, we receive many calls and emails wanting help from code enforcement for situations that don’t involve violations of the TMC. The officer will explain whether your concern may or may not be a violation. If a violation is suspected, the officer will investigate. Code enforcement officers are only allowed to view a property from the right-of-way unless the property owner gives them permission to come on the property, so sometimes the officer may not be able to see the issue you have noticed.  Once a violation is found, the officer will contact the property owner, explain the violation and how it must be remedied, and then give the owner time to fix the problem. In many cases, the owner will fix the problem quickly and the case will be closed. In other cases, the officer may need to go through a series of steps to ensure compliance. These cases may take some time to resolve.

 

Q: There is a car parked in my neighborhood that I don’t recognize. Can you run the plates and tell me who it belongs to?

A: No. We are not allowed to share information that we access from the Department of Licensing to protect individual privacy. 

 

Q: If a vehicle is parked in front of my house, can code enforcement have it removed or take action against the owner?

A: In most instances, the answer is No. If the car is parked legally, meaning it is parked safely on the right-of-way, isn’t blocking a driveway, and appears to be operational, no code has been violated. Homeowners do not have a specific right to park on the city rights-of-way closest to their homes or to have that space remain empty.

 

Q: Can code enforcement officers enforce our neighborhood covenants?

A: No. Neighborhood covenants are a private agreement between neighbors. Neither police nor code enforcement can enforce covenants.

 

Q: I have a neighbor whose yard is overgrown and the house is in disrepair.  Should I call code enforcement?

A: You can certainly call us. TMC 8.04.040 Specific public nuisances declared outlines when a property is out of compliance due to neglect. However, consider taking a step before calling: talk to the neighbor to see if they need assistance. We have found that many properties that fall into disrepair do so because the owner is ill, busy caring for a loved one, or no longer has the physical ability to care for the property. When neighbors inquire, they find the property owner is concerned and embarrassed that they haven’t been able to keep up with regular property maintenance. A neighborhood work party can help the owner while resolving the issue for the neighborhood. We encourage neighbors to help neighbors. It’s a great way to strengthen the ties that make Tumwater such a great place to live.

I hope these FAQs give you some insight into the work of the code enforcement team. Ashley and Patrick, shown below, do great work and take pride in service to the Tumwater community.

I, along with many law enforcement executives, are growing increasingly alarmed by the division in our communities and our country. Of particular concern is the increasing violence based on ideological differences. Two professional groups to which I belong, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police (WASPC) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) have both issued statements recently expressing our concern about the increasing trend of intolerance for opposing viewpoints. Instead of civil discussions of differing opinions, which is a cornerstone of a modern democracy, disagreements are devolving into aggression.

All members of TPD take an Oath of Office that includes:

I will, to the best of my ability, discharge the duties thereof, and preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the State of Washington and of the United States of America.

We are committed to ensuring that constitutional rights can be freely exercised. It is in times such as these, when the community is divided on issues, that we are called upon more frequently to defend the First Amendment, which includes the right to free speech and peaceful assembly. Law enforcement must, of course, uphold these rights for everyone, regardless of their viewpoints. During demonstrations, for example, our role is to ensure that people can freely assemble and that they can speak about their ideas and beliefs, regardless of whether we agree with the demonstrators’ opinions or not. Unfortunately, during some events, individuals intent on disruption, engage in unlawful activity.  While preserving the right to peacefully assemble, we still must provide for public safety.

In July, WASPC released a statement addressing the concerns shared by police leaders about those who join lawful demonstrations in order to cause harm:

At the same time, we must acknowledge a concerning trend: lawful demonstrations are occasionally disrupted by individuals or groups intent on provoking conflict. These incidents, often instigated by those not aligned with the organizers’ original intent, jeopardize public safety and undermine the legitimate message of the protest.

Law enforcement officers are duty-bound to safeguard both the public’s safety and their constitutional rights. This includes ensuring that lawful protests can occur without interference, while also responding decisively to acts of violence, vandalism, or intimidation that threaten others’ safety. Blocking emergency access, trapping individuals in public buildings, or assaulting participants, including officers, crosses a line that must not be ignored. We categorically condemn attacks, and any kind of violence directed against law enforcement officers.

On October 2, 2025, IACP published a resolution addressing another aspect of the division faced by our communities: the rise in rhetoric by political and community leaders that has led to violence against law enforcement, elected officials, and members of the public. Some of the passages of the resolution I found to be crucial include these declarations:

WHEREAS, there has been a disturbing rise in rhetoric from political and community leaders that has contributed to acts of violence against law enforcement officers, elected officials, and members of the public; and, 

WHEREAS, these acts are not random and are often calculated, fueled by hatred, and emboldened by the toxic rhetoric that has become far too common in public discourse, particularly on social media, talk radio, and other media platforms; and, To address these concerns, IACP has made the following resolutions:

…

 RESOLVED, that the IACP condemns any speech or action by political or community leaders that incites, encourages, or legitimizes violence against law enforcement, elected officials, or any segment of the public; and be it,

 FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP urges political and community leaders to exercise restraint, responsibility, and thoughtfulness in their public statements, recognizing the influence their words have on public behavior and safety; and be it…

 FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP reaffirms its commitment to protecting the safety and dignity of all individuals, promoting respectful dialogue, and defending the principles of justice and democracy.

 I believe the statements made by WASPC and IACP accurately reflect law enforcement’s concerns about the dangers our communities face when civil discourse is replaced with intolerance and violence. I saw a bumper sticker the other day whose message encapsulates my feelings about the societal divide we are experiencing. It said simply, "Divided We Fall". Please join me in taking actions that heal the divisions, that find our common ground, so that we can stand together.

This week, I am happy to announce that we have a new Deputy Chief! In September, we completed a selection process that involved community members, City Department Directors, and TPD staff. We had an excellent pool of candidates who came from several different states, including Washington, Illinois, and Colorado. One candidate stood out amongst the rest, and I am excited that he accepted the position. I am pleased to introduce Deputy Chief (DC) Carlos Quiles.

DC Quiles is a Tumwater native and graduated from Tumwater High School.  He served in the Marine Corps and worked for United Parcel Service (UPS) before coming to TPD in 2002. Carlos has held many roles within the department, gaining expertise in a wide range of areas. As a patrol officer, Carlos was commended for his leadership and self-initiated activity. He was appointed to be a relief supervisor after only two years on the job. In 2005, he became a member of the TPD Tactical Team. He continued as a tactical officer and eventually became Assistant Commander of the regional SWAT Team. Carlos was appointed to the position of Lieutenant in 2008, starting as Patrol Lieutenant and then moving into the Administrative & Training Lieutenant role.  Between 2008 and 2024, Carlos alternated between Patrol Lieutenant and Administrative & Training Lieutenant, seamlessly moving into the position that most had need of him. As a lieutenant, he attended the FBI National Academy and also completed his master’s degree. In 2025, with the retirement of Chief Weiks and my own appointment as Chief, Carlos accepted the role of Acting Deputy Chief. As Acting DC, Carlos has been essential to the smooth transition of department leadership. He jumped into the new role with his usual energy, bringing his focus on people and his strong organizational abilities to the new position. I am confident he will continue to provide leadership to the department as he takes on the permanent role of Deputy Chief.

One of the reasons I selected Carlos for the position of DC is his consistent commitment to service – service to the members of TPD and service to the community. Internally, Carlos has been instrumental in ensuring our staff are both well-trained and well-equipped. Carlos has been committed to TPD’s training program since he became a Field Training Officer (FTO) in 2005.   As the Administrative and Training Lieutenant, he developed a comprehensive training program that not only ensures our members grow the skills they need to be successful but also develops our staff to be leaders in their fields. Despite the relatively small size of TPD, we have a robust training program that rivals or surpasses the training programs in much larger departments. Carlos has also spent countless hours researching, evaluating, and advocating for equipment that keeps our officers safe, as well as helping them do their jobs more efficiently.

Carlos embodies TPD’s commitment to the Tumwater community. As DC, he oversees the daily functions of our department. He is steadfast in ensuring that TPD lives up to our mission and our values. Personally, he looks for opportunities to engage with the public, whether through formal events or picking up coffee at a local shop. If you haven’t met Carlos yet when he has been out and about, I am sure you will meet him soon. One of his goals as DC is to increase our opportunities for spending time with our community members.

Please join me in congratulating DC Quiles!

As a business that works 24/7, it is difficult for everyone to stay in touch with everyone else. Relationships are at the heart of what makes TPD, TPD and we place a high value on maintaining our relationships both inside and outside of the department. On Tuesday, September 9, we were fortunate to be able to hold a department meeting where everyone was able to attend. Our friends at the Olympia Police Department responded to calls for service while we spent a couple of hours together.

At the meeting, I had the honor of recognizing several staff for excellent work, including:
• Officer Danielle Dawson, who was awarded the Officer of the Year award by her peers. Danielle brings enthusiasm and energy to everything she sets her mind to. She is proactive in finding solutions to problems and is innovative in finding ways to detect and reduce crime.
• Lt. Ken Driver, who was awarded a Chief’s Commendation for his outstanding work as the Patrol Lieutenant. Ken has been instrumental in maintaining the quality of our Patrol response. He also organized and led the Department’s deployment for the July 4th celebrations, a task that involves almost every officer in the department, with multiple venues, and a variety of activities. The events went off without a hitch thanks in large part to Lt. Driver.
• Dr. Oliver Bowers, Megan Elkins, and Brittani Turner, who were awarded a Chief’s Commendation. Dr. Bowers, Megan, and Officer Turner developed and implemented a new system for accessing Protection Orders from the field. Before the new system, officers were forced to return to the station when they needed to review a Protection Order. The new system enhances both officer safety and public safety. It allows officers to stay in the community to assist other officers and to answer calls for service.

At the meeting, we also discussed the state of the department and a look at the future for the city and TPD. Tumwater is expected to add up to 10,000 new residents within the next 10 years. TPD will need to grow to meet today’s demands as well as the future’s. Our Police Strategic Growth Plan has positioned us well moving into the future and will continue to be updated to reflect the needs of the community.

The rest of our day was centered on our values and how they are the foundation for our mission. Both Acting Deputy Chief Carlos Quiles and I emphasized our belief of “Team Before Self – Always, Every Time, All the Time.” This belief is the core of what we do. It is the core of who we are. It is the core of what it means to be TPD. Before closing the meeting, every member of TPD refreshed their Oaths of Office. Officers initially take the oath upon becoming a TPD officer. With it, the officer affirms a commitment to “…preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the State of Washington and of the United States.” They also pledge to serve, protect, and maintain the trust given to them by the community. Our civilian staff also take an oath which is a modified version of the Officer Oath of Office. They, too, commit to upholding TPD’s values. Our members renewed their oaths with deep dedication and commitment to service.

It was wonderful to have us all together. It gave us time to both reflect on our work and enjoy each other’s company. After the meeting, we took a TPD photograph, a rare moment when we are all together. Our officers were dressed in their snappy Class A uniforms and, as Acting Deputy Chief Carlos Quiles remarked, “We clean up pretty well!” I hope you agree.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. Unfortunately, we regularly respond to suicide calls and understand the importance of raising awareness about suicide prevention. 

Responding to potential suicides is one of TPD’s community caretaking functions. Suicide is not a crime. We respond to suicide attempts in the hope that our actions may prevent someone from taking their life so that they have a chance to resolve the problems that led to the attempt. When we respond, we try to get as much information as we can before arriving. We need to know if the person has made a suicide attempt and needs medical aid; whether the individual has weapons; whether there are resources, such as a counselor or family member who may be able to help the person or give us information about their condition. All our officers receive crisis intervention training and use the skills they have learned when approaching someone in crisis. They will first provide aid if the person has physically harmed themselves. Officers will also talk to the individual to gauge their emotional state and try to persuade them to accept help. If they are available, officers will contact mental health professionals to respond to the scene or talk to the person by phone. The goal is to get the person through the immediate crisis and into the hands of a mental health professional. In some cases, the officer may determine that the person represents an on-going danger to themselves or others. In that case, the officer can detain the person for involuntary mental health treatment and the person will be taken to a medical facility for help. In cases that are less critical, we will provide the person with resources with whom they can connect at a later time. We usually don’t know the long-term outcome of calls involving suicidal emergencies. We always hope these moments of crisis lead to people getting the help they need. 

Suicide prevention is something the entire Tumwater community can be involved with. Because suicide is preventable. Of those who attempt suicide, studies show that 9 out of 10 will not go on to die by suicide. According to mental health professionals, the first step is awareness – understanding that suicide and suicidal thoughts can impact anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. It is usually a signal that someone is in deep emotional pain. It should not be met with silence or shame. Instead, when we see someone struggling, we can start a conversation by simply asking how they are doing and truly listen to the answer. Show your support. Assure them you are there for them and are willing to help. Ask questions that give them the opportunity to share what they are feeling without judgement. Invite them to tell you about changes in their life and how they are coping. If you are concerned they are thinking of suicide, address it directly. An excellent question is simply, “Are you thinking of harming yourself?” Reassure them that help is available. If they are open to finding help, the 988 Lifeline is a good place to start. Anyone can dial 988 and talk to a counselor about life’s challenges, including mental health issues, emotional distress, and substance abuse. In fact, the 988 Lifeline can also assist those who are supporting someone in crisis. It can be hard to know how to act and what to say when trying to help someone who is suicidal and the 988 Lifeline is there to help you through it.  

At TPD, we are committed to helping our community members who are in need. It’s why we do what we do. I hope you will join us in raising awareness about suicide prevention.

It’s hard to believe that it’s already the end of summer vacation!  Next week, the Tumwater schools will be back in session. Here are some tips for being safe as the school year begins.

Traffic around Schools

• Expect traffic to be heavy around all the schools at both start times and at the end of the school day. Some schools are located on streets that can easily get backed up. We work with the school district to find ways to improve traffic flow, but it is not always possible to eliminate standing traffic during the “rush hours”. Try to avoid these areas, if at all possible, to help ease congestion. If you must drive in the school zones, be prepared to be patient and allow extra time for your commute. 
• Remember that school zones have a reduced speed limit of 20 mph. We regularly patrol school zones and are especially vigilant at the beginning of the school year to ensure drivers are driving safely. When school zone lights are flashing, you must slow to 20 mph or less as you enter the zone.
• Keep an eye out for students. This seems like a no-brainer, but the reality is that children can be unpredictable, so being extra diligent is important. A child may be walking safely on a sidewalk and suddenly decide to join their friends on the other side of the road, darting into traffic without looking.

Walking and Biking to School

At TPD, we are big fans of “Walk and Roll” to school. To help students stay safe:

• Be sure kids are highly visible. As the weather changes, mornings get darker, and the rains come in, visibility goes down. Bright and reflective clothing and backpacks can make it easier to see a child who is walking or biking to school or even just crossing the parking lot. Another great idea is carrying a flashlight or wearing lighted arm bands and vests, especially when our days get shorter and children may be walking in the dark or dusk.
• If walking on the shoulder of a road, students should walk against traffic. It both helps the driver see the child and helps the child be aware of the vehicle.
• Wearing headphones or concentrating on a phone leaves a child unaware of their surroundings. Walking or riding without the distraction of headphones and phones is a safer way to travel.
• If a child is riding a bike, they should always wear a helmet. Even if a child simply falls off a bicycle at low speed, they can injure their head without the protection a helmet affords.
• Lights on bicycles are an excellent way to keep kids safe. Both front and rear lights make cyclists more visible to drivers and will help avoid vehicle/bicycle accidents.

Contingency Planning

In the excitement and hub-bub of a new school year, it is normal for a student to get on the wrong school bus or otherwise find themselves lost. To help your children if they end up in this situation:

• Make sure kids know the name and phone number of their parents or guardians, as well as the student’s home address. This will help the school or the police, if needed, to reunite a child with family.

• If older children will be home alone, set up a check-in system for the student to alert a parent or responsible adult that they made it home safely. If the child doesn’t check in on time, solving the mystery of where they may be can start quickly.
• Have an after-school back-up plan. Sometimes life happens and the person responsible for meeting a child after school may be unexpectedly unavailable. Make sure both the school and the student know who to contact and who is allowed to accompany the child if the primary after-school adult cannot make it.

I hope the 2025-2026 school year is great for all our students and their families. Our School Resource Officers are looking forward to the first day and welcoming all the kids to school. Our Traffic and Patrol Officers will be concentrating on school zones to make sure the year starts off safely.

Last week, I was privileged to see Officers Yaree Kennedy and Alix Holman graduate from the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA). Members of our Civil Service Board and Detective Lieutenant Jennifer Kolb were also on hand to congratulate the graduates.

Please meet our newest BLEA graduates:
 
Yaree Kennedy grew up in San Diego and moved to Washington a few years ago so that his wife could attend college. Yaree has wanted to be a police officer since he was a young boy. If he saw police officers in the community, he would always approach to talk with them, ask questions, and play in their police cars.  Now, as a police officer himself, he is looking forward to helping the community solve their problems. He became interested in serving in Tumwater when he was on a visit here. After learning more about Tumwater, he knew it was where he wanted to spend his police career. Yaree and his wife welcomed their first child while Yaree was at BLEA. In his spare time, what little of it there is with a new baby and a new job, Yaree enjoys hiking, watching sports, and exploring the Pacific Northwest with his family.
 
Alix Holman spent his early years in Merced, CA. After high school, Alix served in the US Army as a member of the Military Police, stationed at Joint Base Lewis McCord (JBLM). Following his active service, he worked in the civilian JBLM Police Department until joining TPD. Alix became a police officer because of the three core values by which he lives: trust, loyalty, and selfless service. These values align both with law enforcement as a profession and specifically with TPD’s philosophy. As a Military Police Sergeant, Alix learned that it takes a critical thinker and a problem solver to be a successful law enforcement professional. Having honed these skills, Alix is ready to serve the Tumwater community. Alix and his wife live in Olympia and he enjoys camping, snowboarding, hanging out with friends, and Lego when not at work.

I also want to say congratulations to Officer Rosco Rollman. After 32 total years of service, first as a reserve officer and then as a police officer, Rosco will retire at the end of the month. At his retirement party this week, Acting Deputy Chief Carlos Quiles, who has worked with Rosco for many years, had this to say:
From November 1, 1997, through August 31, 2025, Officer Rosco Rollman served the Tumwater community and this department with unwavering honor, dedication, and integrity. Over the course of his distinguished 28-year career, Officer Rollman held multiple vital roles, including Patrol Officer, School Resource Officer, Emergency Vehicle Operations Instructor, Less Lethal Instructor and Crisis Negotiator with the Thurston County Crisis Negotiation Team. Officer Rollman’s contributions have left a lasting mark on countless lives, community members, students, and colleagues alike. His steady demeanor, strength of character, and compassionate leadership made him a cornerstone of this department. He was a trusted mentor, a loyal friend, and a calming presence in even the most challenging situations. Guided by empathy, understanding, and a deep sense of service, Officer Rollman consistently exemplified the “Team Before Self” philosophy. His actions reflected the highest standards of professionalism and humanity, serving as a model for others to follow. As Officer Rollman transitions into retirement, he joins the ranks of those who have completed long and honorable careers in service to others. Though his daily presence will be deeply missed, his legacy will continue to inspire and influence this department and the community he so faithfully served.

I couldn’t have said it better. Rosco has been a valued member of the TPD family. I am happy for him as he takes on the next phase of his life, and we will all miss him greatly here at the station. Please join me in thanking Officer Rosco Rollman for his service to Tumwater and wishing him the best as he retires.

Back in early May, one of my weekly messages addressed traffic problems and how the community can help us to make our roads safer. Today, I want to take some time to talk specifically about speeding in neighborhoods. It is one of the first concerns we hear about when we meet with neighborhood associations.

Complaints about speeding on neighborhood streets has been a concern throughout my nearly 33 years as a police officer. Speeding cars make a street feel inherently unsafe and when that street is in your neighborhood, the threat to safety is literally close to home. One of my goals in writing these weekly messages is to give you some insight about our experiences as law enforcement professionals. We have been talking a lot lately about speeding complaints here at the station. It occurred to me that we have gained insight about potential speeding in neighborhoods that community members may not know. Here are some of the topics we have been discussing:

• People speeding in your neighborhood are likely your neighbors.  TPD officers have all done speed enforcement in neighborhoods. To an officer, they report that the people they find speeding on a neighborhood street most likely live in the neighborhood. A lot of times the people who are reporting speeding do not recognize the vehicle that regularly drives too fast through their neighborhood. However, once investigated, we find that it is someone who lives around the corner or who bought a new car or has a new driver in the family.
  
  A tip for an easy solution:
  Talk with your neighbors. If you can identify the vehicle, start by visiting the neighbor who you think is speeding. Explain your concerns. Most people want to be good neighbors. Not only will they drive more carefully, but you have strengthened the relationships that make for a strong community.

• Vehicles are not actually speeding. This one is hard for people to understand because they perceive that a vehicle is going very fast.  However, on small neighborhood roads, a car going the speed limit looks like it is going much faster than that same vehicle travelling at the same speed on a larger, multi-lane road.  Vehicles also appear to be going faster when you are not travelling in a vehicle yourself.
  
  The City of Tumwater’s Traffic Team has recently done two speeding studies in two different neighborhoods where multiple residents were complaining of vehicles driving at excessive speeds. The City deployed unmarked speed radars in each neighborhood to determine just how fast cars were going. In both cases, less than .01% of the vehicles were traveling over the speed limit. (On one street, the single vehicle clocked at a speed over the limit was a TPD officer who was responding to a serious emergency call.)
• Lowering the speed limit rarely helps deter speeders. Over the years, officers have seen speed limits change on streets throughout the City.  What we have found is that someone who speeds isn’t going to slow down simply because the speed limit changes. Someone going 40mph in a 30mph zone will continue to travel at 40mph if the speed limit is lowered to 20mph.
• Speed bumps are almost always removed after a neighborhood has asked for them. This one is really counter-intuitive, which is why I mention it. Neighborhoods often ask for the City to install speed bumps to slow drivers. In the past, the City occasionally placed speed bumps at the request of a neighborhood. However, nearly every neighborhood that asked for them subsequently asked to have them removed. Residents who lived close to the speed bumps realized that speed bumps significantly increase noise as vehicles travel over them. Plus, those living in the neighborhood didn’t like driving over them every day to get to and from their homes. Finally, while the speed bumps slowed vehicles, the perceived speed did not drop much. This was likely because the vehicles had not been speeding in the first place – they just looked as if they were, as noted above. This disconnect has led the City Transportation team to only place speed bumps that are consistent with traffic engineering best practices.

None of the above is to say that TPD or the City of Tumwater is not concerned about speeding. We take these complaints seriously. Speeding is a significant public safety issue. When we receive complaints, the multi-disciplinary Traffic Team examines the issue from all angles. Team members gather data to document speeds over several weeks, they look at the street itself, and then they devise a potential solution if the data demonstrates a problem. One solution may be more traffic enforcement, but enforcement is only one potential answer. Many times, when speeding occurs on a neighborhood street, another option may be more effective, from simply speaking with the speeder to engineering solutions.

I hope this gives you a little insight into what we see with years of being out on the road. We appreciate everyone who is driving safely and minding the speed limits!

Tuesday, August 5, 2025 is National Night Out!  National Night Out (NNO) is an event we look forward to every year.  We hope to see you at one of the many NNO parties throughout the city.

National Night Out began in 1984 as an annual community-building event to bring together neighborhoods and law enforcement to promote safer, more caring communities.  NNO is a prime example of our favorite policing principle outlined by Sir Robert Peel in 1829, 

To maintain at all times a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and that the public are the police, the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.

Community safety is enhanced not only by neighborhoods engaging with law enforcement, but also by neighbors knowing their neighbors.  National Night Out is an opportunity to build those relationships while having fun and eating great food.  

In Tumwater, this year we have 13 neighborhoods that are participating in NNO.  Each neighborhood celebrates in its own way, from block parties to barbecues and even a water fight between neighborhood kids and TPD.  TPD officers, detectives, and command staff will be out and about visiting the neighborhood events.  TFD, our partners in public safety, have joined us for the last several years and will be participating as well.  We look forward to meeting neighbors and having fun with our community.  See you there! 

July 25th, 2025: Criminal Harassment

One of the goals of my weekly messages is to explain some issues related to policing that are often confusing for the public. Often, confusion centers on the fact that a word or phrase means something in the everyday world, but the same word has a different meaning in the criminal justice system. Today I’d like to take some time to talk about “harassment”. This is a word and concept that has a lot of different meanings, so let me explain what it means in a criminal justice sense.

Harassment is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as, “behavior that annoys or upsets someone.” Often, harassment is related to verbal confrontations, such as someone insulting another person. Or, it might be used to describe the behavior of someone who keeps engaging with another who has asked to be left alone. We say that we have been “harassed” under all sorts of situations:  “A telemarketer has been harassing me by calling every day.”; “My neighbor is harassing me by driving too fast down our shared road.” However, in the criminal justice world, harassment has a very specific definition that varies significantly from its everyday use. 

In Washington, RCW 9A.46.020 defines the crime of harassment:

(1) A person is guilty of harassment if:

(a) Without lawful authority, the person knowingly threatens:

(i) To cause bodily injury immediately or in the future to the person threatened or to any other person; or

(ii) To cause physical damage to the property of a person other than the actor; or

(iii) To subject the person threatened or any other person to physical confinement or restraint; or

(iv) Maliciously to do any other act which is intended to substantially harm the person threatened or another with respect to his or her physical health or safety; and (emphasis added)

(b) The person by words or conduct places the person threatened in reasonable fear that the threat will be carried out. "Words or conduct" includes, in addition to any other form of communication or conduct, the sending of an electronic communication.

We frequently respond to calls where one party is alleging that the other is harassing them. However, it is fairly unusual that the behavior meets the criminal definition of “harassment”. Note that, to be a crime, the activity generally needs to involve threats to a person or their property. The threats must reasonably cause fear that the conduct will occur. This is a much higher bar than the more general definition of harassment. 

Let’s look at an example that comes from calls we have responded to. We are called by someone who feels they are being harassed because a former friend is posting negative comments on the reporting party’s social media accounts.  The comments being posted are allegations that the reporting party is untruthful, untalented, and unattractive. The comments are made in response to a variety of posts made by the reporting party who wants the person investigated for harassment. This is certainly an uncomfortable situation. By the common definition of harassment, most people would agree the reporting party was being harassed due to the frequent and negative comments.  However, from a criminal law point of view, there is no evidence of harassment. There are no physical threats to the reporting party; there are no threats towards their property; there are no indications that the physical health or safety of the reporting party is in jeopardy. With these facts, the officer determines that there is no criminal harassment.

The word “harassment” also causes confusion when someone wants an “antiharassment protection order” (AHPO).  A protection order, if granted, restricts someone from interacting with the person who applied for it. Our front office frequently receives telephone calls about antiharassment protection orders and how to obtain one. While we do not give legal advice, we do suggest that the caller read a brochure produced by the courts that explains protection orders. In the brochure, it explains the purpose of an Antiharassment Protection Order:

Antiharassment Protection Order (AHPO) To protect against unwanted contact or behavior that causes substantial emotional distress and serves no legitimate or lawful purpose. The contact could be a pattern of behavior that occurs over time, or a single act or threat of violence. The contact must be directed specifically at the protected person and be seriously alarming, annoying, harassing, or detrimental.

This definition of harassment is a little broader than that found in the criminal law, but it still indicates a condition that is more severe than the everyday usage of “harassment”. The behavior of the harassing party must cause significant emotional distress or is seriously alarming. It is not behavior that is simply irritating or bothersome.

I hope this gives you a deeper understanding about harassment and how it applies in the law. Sometime legal definitions and common definitions are substantially different which leads to misunderstandings about what constitutes unlawful activity.

A couple of months ago, I mentioned that we were adapting our Police Strategic Growth Plan due to budget constraints (see the March 14, 2025 message.)  Some of the things we had planned to do we won’t be able to implement.  We simply can’t do more with less.  However, our members continue to brainstorm about how we can provide additional services our community has asked for with the resources we have available.

An example of this is a new program our detective unit has started to reach out to new businesses in Tumwater.  We had hoped to implement a Business Liaison Officer position this year to give our business community a dedicated liaison.  Our budget did not include the extra position, but the detectives came up with an alternative that will increase our outreach to the business community.  Each month, detectives work with the City’s business licensing personnel to find out about new businesses that have been licensed in Tumwater.  Using this information, they send out a welcome packet to each new business.  It includes a welcome from TPD, helpful forms, and information about who to contact for problems ranging from wild animals to cybercrime.  When time allows, detectives and trainee officers visit new businesses to make a personal connection.

Another area our community asked us to enhance was our use of social media.  We heard that the community wants to know more about TPD and what we do.  We had hoped to reassign one of our administrative staff, the talented Ria Patterson, as a Communications Specialist.   However, workload increases made that impossible.  Instead, members from every division have pitched in to provide our community with more of the information they have asked for.  Ria works on Communications part-time, while officers, sergeants, and command staff supply photos and stories for posting on social media.  Our Public Information Officer (PIO), Lt. Jennifer Kolb, takes an active role in maintaining our social media while at community events.  The other administrative staff pitch in with ideas for posts and cover the rest of the administrative workload, when needed.  By “crowd sourcing” our social media, we have been able to share more of what we do with the public.

The community also told us they are concerned about people who are struggling with mental illness and substance use disorders.  Tumwater residents would like to have mental health providers who can respond to people who are in crisis.  Several departments within the City have been working to establish a mental health outreach team.  The Tumwater Fire Department (TFD) is leading this effort.  An outreach program is under development, but it has not yet launched.  In the meantime, TPD is leveraging our partnership with the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office (TCPO) LEAD program to access mental health professionals who work with LEAD.  LEAD stands for Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion.  The program focuses on community-based case management and alternatives to jail and prosecution.  TPD refers people to LEAD who may be engaging in criminal behavior but have underlying conditions that need addressed.  We are working with LEAD to expand their services to some of our community members who have unmet needs, but who are not involved with the criminal justice system.  This gives us another resource for our community members who are in crisis while the mental health outreach program is being developed.

I am proud of the creativity and energy TPD members give to problem solving.  They use these talents every day in their regular job duties.  They also come together with innovative ideas to provide service to the public when we have resource constraints.  We use the opportunities we discover to move us towards our goals.

I hope everyone enjoyed the 4^th of July festivities in Tumwater. It was great to see and meet so many community members at both the parade and the fireworks show. As you can imagine, 4^th of July is a day that takes a lot of planning at TPD. I want to commend Patrol Lieutenant Ken Driver who made it all happen, as well as all of our staff who helped the day be a success.

Today I’d like to tell you about a project we have been working on at TPD. Over the past few years, we have seen a noted increase in dementia-related calls for service. These can take many forms including someone being found disoriented in a public place, becoming the victim of fraud or even a missing person complaint when the individual walks away from their residence.

Since 2023 we have been partnering with the University of Washington and the Garvey Institute of Brain Health Sciences on a research project regarding clinician and law enforcement partnerships to address dementia crises. The research is led by Dr. Kimiko Domoto-Reilly MD and Dr. Kristoffer Rhoads PhD who are collaborating with the Tumwater Police Department and the Washougal Police Department.

This research is aimed at coordinating strategies and aligning priorities for law enforcement and clinicians.

“As the U.S. population ages, dementia-related behavioral crises such as wandering, aggression, or impaired judgment are leading to more interactions with public safety systems. Police are often the first responders, despite limited dementia-specific training. Behaviors like shoplifting or trespassing may be misinterpreted as criminal activities, increasing the risk of harmful outcomes. There is a critical need for trauma-informed tools and cross sector training to ensure safer, more appropriate responses.” (from the study executive summary.)

The research involved interviewing police officers, emergency dispatch employees, and community stakeholders, as well as the collection of calls for service data. First responders are frequently first responders to incidents involving dementia-related crises, so our officers were interviewed to understand the scale and scope of these interactions. This helps build context and a deeper understanding of the needs of both those in crisis and the first responders interacting with them.  

“The survey explored the frequency and severity of incidents involving patients with dementia, such as wandering, trespassing, shoplifting, threatening behavior, financial abuse/fraud, and firearm safety concerns.”  (from the study executive summary.)

“Wandering” was the most frequently reported concern, but threatening behavior, financial abuse/fraud, and unsafe driving were other safety concerns illustrated by the data.

The results of the first year of the project demonstrated the need for (and importance of) joint training and co-response models, as well as a need for tailored materials that can be disseminated to police departments, community partners, and other appropriate groups. The project has received additional funding to continue through 2025 and as such we will continue to partner with them to extend the reach of the current project and develop more initiatives.

TPD is always looking for innovative ways to better serve our community. At the same time, we want to make changes that we can expect will be effective.  We welcome opportunities to be involved in studies such as these so that we can implement proven practices. By partnering with academia, TPD stays on the leading edge of professional policing.

Today, June 27, is National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day. The day aims to bring to light the nature of the condition and encourage people to seek help. PTSD is something that law enforcement both witnesses and experiences. Learn more about TPD and how we address PTSD.

Anyone can develop PTSD and it can occur at any age. It develops as a response to experiencing or witnessing trauma. Not everyone who is involved in a traumatic event will develop PTSD and early support following trauma can help reduce the likelihood of PTSD taking hold. The symptoms of PTSD include:

• Intrusive Thoughts: Thoughts, memories, dreams or, flashbacks of a traumatic event that are unwanted and involuntary.
• Avoidance: Avoiding things that remind a person of the traumatic event, including people, places, activities, objects, and situations. Confronting reminders can trigger distressing memories.
• Changes in cognition and mood: Many times, those with PTSD show signs of depression. They may also have difficulty with memory. Sometimes, they have distorted thoughts about what caused the traumatic event or their responsibility for creating it. PTSD may also cause those suffering with it to feel detached from others, have on-going fear, or feel ashamed.
• Changes in arousal and reactivity: People with PTSD may be irritable or have angry outbursts that are out of proportion to the situation at hand. They can also behave in self-destructive ways. Another frequent symptom is being overly watchful, as well as being easily startled.

TPD officers receive basic training in mental health conditions so that they can recognize people in crisis. PTSD is a condition that is familiar to our officers. In Thurston County, many of our community members are active or former military who may have experienced trauma in their careers that can lead to PTSD, in addition to those who experience other types of trauma.  Our officers are trained to de-escalate people in mental health crisis, including PTSD. When approaching someone in crisis, they try to “slow down” the encounter by using techniques to calm a volatile situation. This involves building rapport, approaching in as non-threatening a manner as possible, and increasing communication. Officers will usually maintain some distance to avoid increasing the stress levels of the person in crisis. This is especially helpful for people with PTSD who often become more agitated if they feel trapped. Officers will use both verbal and non-verbal communication to help calm the situation including speaking in calm, measured tones and standing in a relaxed posture. Once an individual in crisis trusts the officers enough to engage with them, officers can offer assistance. Sometimes, officers can call on the person’s support system. Other times, they may be able to refer them to community resources for treatment. In other instances, an individual experiencing significant symptoms of a mental illness, including those of PTSD, may be taken to a medical facility for immediate help.

TPD members themselves are at risk of developing PTSD. Officers in the field frequently experience or witness traumatic events. Sometimes, officers are the target of violence. Other times, they respond to scenes of violent crimes. They also interact with people who are experiencing or have experienced very difficult situations. Recent research has shown that civilian law enforcement members are also regularly confronted by traumatic events. Our staff who manage police records and evidence can experience vicarious trauma as they read police reports, view videos of crime, or attend crime scenes. Vicarious trauma is the emotional residue of exposure to another person’s traumatic experience and it can also lead to PTSD. The physical and mental health of TPD members is our highest priority. We have a wellness program designed to increase TPD staff’s resiliency to trauma. Our wellness program coordinator provides staff with information about physical and mental health, including how to recognize the signs and symptoms of PTSD. We also have a peer support group. This group is made up of volunteers from within the department who can provide one-on-one support to members experiencing stress or trauma.  After particularly traumatic events, we call on our peer support team and mental health professionals to debrief and offer services to all involved.  Another important aspect of our wellness program is our chaplains. They not only help community members facing grief or trauma, but they spend time with our officers on a regular basis, providing support and someone with whom to share worries and concerns.

If you or someone you know is experiencing PTSD symptoms, there are resources that can help. If you are in crisis, please call the crisis support lifeline by dialing 988. For more information about PTSD, go to the National Center for PTSD. The NCPTSD is run by the Veteran’s Administration, but the site offers resources and information for everyone.

Today I have the pleasure of highlighting two TPD members who deserve recognition. Acting Sergeant Danielle Dawson (right) has been elected Officer of the Year by her peers and Lieutenant Jennifer Kolb (left) will celebrate her 25th anniversary with the department next week. These are both important accomplishments and I am proud to share them with our community.

Each year, the Tumwater Police Guild honors one of its members with the Officer of the Year award.  It is a recognition of outstanding work performed by one of their own.  This year, the Guild chose Acting Sgt. Danielle Dawson as the Officer of the Year.  Sgt. Dawson began her career in law enforcement in 2012 as a Mason County Corrections Officer.  In 2014, Sgt. Dawson became a Public Safety Officer with the Steilacoom Department of Public Safety, earning her full peace officer certification.  TPD hired Sgt. Dawson in 2017 and she has been an asset to us ever since.  In the eight years she has been a TPD member, Danielle has excelled as a patrol officer, a training officer, a major collision investigator, and as a detective.  She is currently an Acting Sergeant, leading a patrol team.  While a synopsis of the roles she has played shows what she has done, it does not describe who she is.  Sgt. Dawson brings enthusiasm and energy to everything she sets her mind to.  She is proactive in finding solutions to problems and is innovative in finding ways to detect and reduce crime. Sgt. Dawson is people-oriented in her approach to law enforcement.  She is invested in forming and preserving strong, long-lasting partnerships between TPD and the community.  You may have met Sgt. Dawson at any number of community events she helps organize and attends, including Shop with a Cop, the Easter Egg Dash, and the reading program Books and Badges.  Her peers appreciate her skills and her energy, and her supervisors have consistently noted the high quality of her work and her drive to excel.  

Lieutenant Jennifer Kolb has been an essential part of TPD for the last 25 years.  Lt. Kolb started at TPD in 2000, her first job in law enforcement.  Starting as a patrol officer, she quickly absorbed new information and incorporated it into her work.  Within a few years, her supervisors noted that she had developed both excellent patrol skills and was showing talent as an investigator.  With only three years on the job, she was chosen to be a training officer and a relief supervisor.  In 2007, Lt. Kolb became a detective where she excelled in investigating sex-related crimes and general felonies.  She continued to be an avid learner, adding new skills with every challenge she faced.  As a detective, Lt. Kolb developed training programs for middle school and high school students to address cyber-bullying and other on-line hazards.  As part of her detective career, Lt. Kolb has been a lead investigator for the Thurston County Critical Response Team and played a key role in establishing the Capital Metro Independent Investigations Team (CMIIT), which replaced the Critical Response Team.  The CMIIT is a regional team with members from TPD and the police departments of Lacey, Olympia, and Yelm that investigates all potentially lethal uses of force.  Lt. Kolb became a sergeant in 2017, supervising a patrol team and was promoted to her current position as Detective Lieutenant a year later.  Lt. Kolb is a valuable member of our command staff.   As Detective Lieutenant, Lt. Kolb oversees investigations, the school resource officer program, and our evidence room.  She is also our lead recruiter and our primary Public Information Officer.  Throughout her career, Lt. Kolb has worked to enhance the partnership between the TPD and the community we serve.  You can find her at most of the community events in Tumwater, as well as elsewhere in Thurston County, and she is our primary liaison with the Tumwater schools.  

Congratulations to both Acting Sgt. Dawson and Lt. Kolb!  Thank you for all your contributions, energy, and hard work.

June 13th, 2025: Grads, Dads, and Summer Fun

The recent hot weather reminded me that summer is almost here. When I start to see the School Resource Officers in the station, rather than in the schools, I know the time has come. Summer starts with a bang with June celebrations.
Our Tumwater high school graduation ceremonies were held last week and earlier this week. I want to say a big “Congratulations!” to all the seniors who graduated from Black Hills High School, Cascade High School, New Market Skills Center, and Tumwater High School. Successfully completing 13 years of schooling is a big accomplishment. I, our School Resource Officers (SROs), and the rest of TPD wish the graduates the best of luck in their future endeavors as they enter the workforce, start career training, or attend college.

This weekend, we celebrate Father’s Day. Since last Father’s Day, two of our members have become new fathers. By the end of the summer, two more will join the fatherhood ranks. It is fun to see our TPD family growing. It is also great to see TPD children growing up. The son of one of our officers was recently commissioned as a police officer in an Arizona police department, following in his father’s footsteps. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads in our community.

The social calendar at TPD gets busy during the summer. We enjoy being out and about at the City events that are planned over the next couple of months.  Tomorrow, K9 Officer Chase Grimmett and his dog Thor will be at the Dog Days event held at Pioneer Park. Officer Grimmett is looking forward to meeting our community members and our community dogs. The 4th of July is coming up quickly. July 4th is a big day for TPD. Almost all of our officers are on duty, along with some of our civilian staff. We will be attending the Independence Day Parade in the morning, then the Tumwater Family Festival, and the Fireworks show in the Valley that night. Officers will also be stopping by Screen on the Green events that are taking place all summer in neighborhood parks. In August, we will be attending Brewfest and hope to see you there. We also really like getting out of our cars when the weather is nice, so expect to see us when you are enjoying your time outdoors in parks and public places.

I wouldn’t be the Police Chief if I didn’t give some public safety tips. Summer in the Pacific Northwest is beautiful and getting outdoors is a priority. Help us help you to be safe out there.

• Heat Safety - A lot of people aren’t used to high temperatures in this part of the world. Some tips for keeping cool and staying safe:
  • Keep hydrated.  You lose a lot of water during hot weather. Carry water with you when you are out and about and drink frequently. Don’t wait until you are thirsty.
  • Save your high exertion activities for the cooler parts of the day. You will significantly reduce your chances of falling victim to heat exhaustion.
  • Don’t leave children or pets in your vehicles, even if the windows are down. On very hot days, the inside temperature of a car can rapidly rise to levels much higher than the outdoor temperature.
• Water Safety - We are fortunate to have access to rivers, lakes, Puget Sound, and the ocean. Stay safe as you enjoy the water:
  • Be careful of currents and tides. Strong currents are not always obvious, and riptides can carry away even the strongest swimmers.  Heed warning signs and alerts about dangerous conditions.
  • Never dive into an unknown body of water. It may be shallower than it appears or there may be obstacles that aren’t visible from above.  Severe injuries can occur, especially if you hit your head.
  • Don’t swim alone.  Buddy up when swimming and be sure that children are watched carefully.
• Outdoor Safety. Getting out into nature is a prime activity during the summer. Some cautions to keep you safe while you explore:
  • Know where you are going. If you are hiking or biking in an unfamiliar area, consider taking a hard-copy map with you. Cell phone service can be spotty, at best, in undeveloped areas and you don’t want to get lost.
  • Take more supplies than you need. You may plan on a short hike, but if you get lost, have to detour, or experience something that slows you down, you may need more food and water than you planned on.
  • Take warm clothes. The weather can change quickly and you don’t want to be unprepared.
  • Take a first aid kit. When you are a distance from medical help, a first aid kit can help you in an emergency.

I hope everyone has a great summer. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at local events and out in the community.

I am sure you have read in various media outlets about the nationwide need for police officers. As other Chief’s Messages have mentioned before, when we hire someone who has never been an officer, it takes about 18 months before they are ready to patrol on their own. If we can hire officers who are already trained, it shortens that time considerably. In policing, these are usually referred to as “lateral hires”. We currently have two officers who came to us from other departments and are learning how to police the TPD way. I would like to explain the things we consider when hiring laterals and how we bring them on board once they are hired.

While lateral hires can hit the road more quickly than new hires, we are still careful in our hiring process.  Often, lateral officers do not have the same skill set needed to be a TPD officers. For example, officers coming from other types of law enforcement, such as highway patrol or federal service, may have had very different training and experience than that of a TPD officer. Officers who come from other geographic areas, especially out of state, may have learned techniques that are not supported at TPD and out-of-state officers will have little experience or knowledge of Washington law. Sometimes, a lateral candidate has problems in their past that may affect their suitability to be a TPD officer. For all of these reasons, we do the same thorough background check of lateral hires that we do for all our employees before we offer them a position.

These are some of the practical issues we consider when deciding whether to hire a lateral officer. However, the biggest factor we are concerned about is whether they want to work for TPD because they want to serve the Tumwater community. You may have heard that some departments throughout the nation are offering hiring bonuses for lateral officers. To get experienced officers who will take less time to train, agencies are offering tens of thousands of dollars to officers willing to leave their current department for a new one. Offers such as these are, of course, tempting. They may entice someone to move into a position they aren’t truly invested in. It is important to us that someone who is coming from another department wants to be part of TPD and the Tumwater community. Commitment is another important consideration in hiring a lateral officer.

Officers Kasey Steffenhagen and Aaron Renaud are our most recent lateral hires. They are currently going through Field Training. Officer Steffenhagen came to us from Virginia where she was a deputy with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Department. She moved to Washington to be near family and was given glowing reviews by her former employer. Officer Renaud completed the Basic Law Enforcement Academy as an officer for the State of Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB). He transferred to TPD when he determined he was more interested in the broad scope of policing offered by city law enforcement. Officer Renaud received excellent recommendations from the LCB. Both officers have spent their first few months studying and training. For the next four months, the two officers will patrol with experienced TPD officers. Officer Steffenhagen will learn about Washington laws and police tactics. Officer Renaud will be mentored in community policing and learn skills he wasn’t introduced to in his previous job. When they successfully complete their Field Training, they will be released to patrol on their own.

I hope this gives you some insight into why and how we hire officers from other departments. In addition to Officers Steffenhagen and Renaud, our staff complement includes past lateral hires who we are proud to have as TPD members. Lateral hires bring different viewpoints and experience to TPD which makes our department stronger.

Today when I walked into the station, several TPD members were taking a class on-line. Some were carefully studying the training material, while others were nervously filling out an end-of-class test. The class and test they were completing will allow them to access the national National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and the State of Washington A Central Computerized Enforcement Service System (ACCESS). These are both important tools for law enforcement, so today I want to explain what they are and how we use them. 

You may have heard of NCIC if you watch crime dramas or follow national crime statistics. NCIC is a nation-wide database for tracking crime-related information that is maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). NCIC was created in 1967 to centralize crime information from throughout the United States. Having been built at the beginning of the computer age, it was sorely in need of an update by the 1990s. The current system came on-line in 1999, with the upgrade costing several billion dollars. NCIC holds crime data related to warrants, protection orders, stolen firearms, stolen vehicles, and missing persons, just to name a few of the categories it tracks. NCIC also interfaces with the databases of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to share data internationally.

ACCESS is Washington State’s law enforcement information database. It interfaces with multiple systems in Washington, including the state’s criminal database, Department of Licensing, and the Department of Corrections. It connects with NCIC, as well, along with numerous regional crime databases.

The information available through NCIC and ACCESS is available only to law enforcement and their related partners, such as prosecutors and dispatch centers.  Access to these systems is tightly controlled. The information they contain falls under both State and Federal laws that protect the privacy of individuals who may be entered into these databases. TPD staff must take an on-line course and pass a test each year to maintain their certification.  Certification allows someone to view information from these databases. A higher level certification is required to enter information into NCIC and ACCESS.  Our administrative staff hold this higher certification.

How does TPD use NCIC and ACCESS? Officers in the field use the information in these systems to identify individuals, to check whether an individual is wanted for an outstanding warrant, and to determine whether someone is a party to a protection order. If you have ever heard an officer in a tv show ask dispatch for “wants and warrants”, the fictional dispatcher is looking for this information in NCIC.  Because NCIC is a national database, a query will return information about whether the individual has warrants from any of the 50 states and will similarly report existing protection orders. This information is important in determining whether someone should be arrested for a warrant or is violating a protection order. Officers also use these systems to search for stolen goods.  For example, if an officer pulls over a vehicle, they may run an NCIC search of the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If that vehicle has been stolen and reported to the police, the information will be included in NCIC. Similarly, officers who seize a firearm can check whether it was stolen by running an NCIC check. Officers and detectives also use NCIC to discover whether a person has a criminal history. Criminal history information can help law enforcement identify whether an individual has experience with a specific type of crime, give information about prior associates, and provide a better picture of where a suspect may have been involved with law enforcement in the past.

TPD’s administrative staff are responsible for entering our criminal data into NCIC and ACCESS. Each day, the courts send TPD warrants for arrest for suspects who failed to appear for court hearings. We also receive any protection orders that were issued by the courts when the protected party lives in Tumwater. Warrants and protection orders must all be entered and maintained in NCIC and ACCESS so that law enforcement agencies who use these systems get the most up-to-date and accurate information.  Administrative staff also enter missing persons and stolen items into the system. Another important piece of information they enter into NCIC and ACCESS are those people who are specific threats to law enforcement. When someone makes a credible threat against an officer or has been particularly violent with law enforcement in the past, we are able to flag that individual in NCIC so that anyone searching NCIC for the person is warned about potential danger. Additionally, administrative staff fingerprint people as part of applications for concealed weapons permits. The fingerprinting creates the record of the individual in NCIC.  If the record already exists, fingerprinting will give staff the person’s criminal history. This information is used to determine whether someone meets the legal requirements and restrictions for a concealed weapons permit.

I hope this helps you understand the many ways we use NCIC and ACCESS.  The databases are integral to our work. The need to maintain security while accessing them to preserve privacy is also essential. For these reasons, the certification all members of TPD must maintain, including me, is critical. I can attest to the fact that the annual test produces some anxiety! Just in case you were wondering…. everyone who took the test this morning passed on their first try and are happy to be certified for another year.

Each year in May, the United States celebrates National Police Week to remember those officers who have died in the line of duty and to recognize the important work that police officers do every day. Read on to learn more about the history of National Police Week and its significance to our officers.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which that day falls as National Police Week. National Police Week was formally established by resolution of Congress, also in 1962, to pay special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others (www.nleomf.org.) In 2025, National Police Week spans from May 11 through May 17. On May 15, the official National Peace Officers Memorial Day, the flags were flown at half-staff. Throughout the nation, ceremonies were held in commemoration. Many people gathered at a variety of events to recognize and appreciate those who have fallen, those who served, and those who are still serving.

In addition to the day and week acknowledging the duty death of past officers, there are also physical memorials marking the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial was opened on October 15, 1991. It honors federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement officers whose names are engraved on the walls of the memorial.  Also in Washington, DC, is the National Law Enforcement Museum. The Museum provides educational opportunities to learn about policing, exhibits that bring the history of policing to life, and programs to help visitors understand the role of policing in America. In Washington, the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial occupies a beautiful spot on the Capitol Campus. It looks out over Capitol Lake, Puget Sound, and all the way to the Olympics. The memorial was built in 2006 and is inscribed with the names of Washington law enforcement officers who lost their lives while performing their duties.  Also inscribed on the memorial are the simple words, “Their duty was to serve. Our duty is to remember.” I hope you have a chance to visit the memorial. For law enforcement officers, it is a place of honor and remembrance.

We are fortunate at TPD to have never lost an officer on duty. We train our staff to minimize the possibility of injury on the job. We also recognize that some injuries are not physical. The rate of suicide amongst officers is 54% higher than most other professions. At TPD, we are strengthening the resilience of our officers through a robust wellness program and a peer support team. Yet, we all know that there may come a day when we, or someone from the greater police family, may not go home at the end of the shift. Police officers make the commitment every day to protect the community, and that commitment can lead them into dangerous situations. Acknowledging the loss of police officers doing their jobs is an important aspect of honoring the profession and one that is meaningful to our officers.

I am honored to be in the same profession as the men and women whose names are inscribed on memorials throughout our country. I am privileged to work with the officers of the Tumwater Police Department who give their best to this community on every shift, 365 days per year. Please join us during this important week to contemplate the lives of those lost and to celebrate those who continue to serve.

A guiding principle for TPD is that public safety is a partnership between the community and its police department. At TPD, we feel fortunate that our community works closely with us. One topic that we frequently receive calls and emails about is bad driving. Today I wanted to let you know how we use the information you give us to address these concerns and some tips for providing us with details that help us the most.

We frequently get calls and emails about vehicles that are driving badly. In some cases, it is a vehicle that is frequently seen speeding or driving recklessly.  When we get this type of information, we send the information to our traffic officer. Officer Kelly Clark is assigned specifically to enforcing traffic laws (although he responds to other calls, as well). You will often see Officer Clark near school zones at the beginning and end of school days, patrolling areas where road conditions make driving more challenging, or other places where good, careful driving is particularly important. Officer Clark’s objective is to improve traffic safety. A lot of his job involves educating drivers about the rules of the road and why they are important for keeping the community safe.  Sometimes, he determines that a citation is the best method for changing behavior, especially when a driver has been warned about poor driving in the past.  When we receive information about a chronic problematic driver, we do our best to identify the car and the individual. If we can do so, we will usually visit with the driver to explain both the laws and the concerns about the driving. The more detailed information you can give us, the better our chances are of locating the vehicle and driver. Some details that can really help include:

• The color, make, and model of the vehicle.
• If you don’t know the make, what type of vehicle is it? Is it a sedan, an SUV, a convertible?
• Is there anything unique about the vehicle? For example, does the car have bumper stickers or special wheels?
• When and where do you see it? The more specific the times, the better. If we have an idea of when the vehicle may be in a certain neighborhood, we can patrol the area.
• A description of the driver.
• A description of the driving. Is the person speeding? Taking corners too fast?

In other instances, someone is seen driving dangerously at a particular moment and a witness calls into dispatch. When this occurs, an available patrol officer will respond to the area and try to locate the vehicle and observe the driving.  Information that helps the officers in these cases includes the details above with a specific emphasis on where the car is and which direction it is traveling, along with a detailed description of the driving - is the driver swerving over the center line or fog line? Is the driver stopping in the middle of the road or failing to respond to a green light? Is the driver speeding and/or slowing down? The description of the driving gives the officer some clues about what may be impacting the driver and may help in proving a criminal case, such as Driving Under the Influence (DUI).

We also receive reports from our community members about more global traffic problems. A neighborhood, for example, may be experiencing frequent speeding by multiple vehicles along a particular roadway. We approach these cases a little differently than those that involve an individual reckless driver.  The City of Tumwater has a multidisciplinary Traffic Team that examines traffic concerns that center on a specific place, as opposed to a specific vehicle or driver. The Traffic Team is made up of employees from the Traffic and Engineering, Police, Community Development, Fire, and Executive departments. They look at concerns related to traffic safety, pedestrian safety, and speeding issues in the City. The Traffic Team first starts with data to document the problem. For speeding complaints, for example, the Team may place a speed monitor that records the speed of every car passing along a particular stretch of road, the time the vehicle passes, and other information. With this information, the Team can tell how often speeding occurs and when, or whether speeding is occurring at all. The Team uses the data to inform the community about how vehicles are traveling in their neighborhood and to determine the best solution to increase safety. By taking a data-driven, multidisciplinary approach, the City can address a problem in a manner that is most likely to have a positive impact. In some cases, the road may need improvements such as signage or traffic calming devices. In other cases, enforcement may be the best tool for enhancing safety. And sometimes, it turns out the data shows that a perceived problem isn’t actually occurring with the frequency or severity that was reported. Learn more about the Tumwater Traffic Team on our website.

We appreciate the public letting us know about public safety concerns such as traffic safety. We do our best to investigate the issues and work towards resolutions. Working together, we keep Tumwater the safe community that we all enjoy.

Last weekend, TPD partnered with the non-profit Tumwater Hopes to support good practices when disposing of unused medications. I want to spread the word about how medications can safely be disposed of and to encourage everyone to take care when getting rid of unused medications.

Prescription medications play an important part in modern healthcare.  However, they are regulated because the properties that make them beneficial to one person can be very detrimental to another. Doctors and pharmacists consider a person’s medical condition, medical history, and other factors to determine which medications will help, and not harm, a person. When unused prescription medications are not disposed of properly, it raises the chance that someone may take a medication that can harm them. This is of particular concern for children who may not recognize medications if they find them and most likely will have no understanding about how they can be hurt if they take them. 

Classes of prescription drugs that are used recreationally, such as opiates and stimulants, are at the center of two significant public health and safety problems: Crimes committed to get the drugs and addiction to powerful narcotics. When excess medications of this type are not disposed of properly, they are a target for thieves and may end up on the street feeding addictions.

Lastly, drugs can have a significant impact on our environment if they are not disposed of appropriately. If medications are flushed down a toilet or dropped down a sink, they can impact the water that ends up in our streams and oceans. Drugs that end up in a landfill can poison the ground and any animals who may ingest them.

So, those are the problems with poor disposal of medications. What is the answer? Many organizations, including TPD, offer prescription drop-off boxes. I encourage you to use them.  The boxes are conveniently located at pharmacies, medical facilities, and government buildings. They are secure, so you can feel confident that when you drop your medications in the box, they will remain safe until properly destroyed. At TPD, our Evidence Technician empties our box several times per week. She inventories the medications and locks them in the Evidence Room. Several times a year, the medications are taken to a facility that incinerates them. The medications are tracked during the entire process to ensure that they are appropriately destroyed. Our prescription drop-off box is located in our vestibule, just inside the front doors of our station. The vestibule is open 24 hours a day for your convenience.

We ask that you help us keep the drop-off box available to everyone for the purpose of disposing of prescription drugs. Here are some dos and don’ts that keep the box from filling up too fast and that keep it safe.

Do:

• Use the box for prescription medications only. These are the medications that we most urgently need to dispose of safely.
• Leave the medications in their original package. The incinerator can handle plastic pill bottles, blister packs, and other packaging material. Loose medications are much harder to store and transport.
• Use the box as frequently as needed. Once you no longer need a medication and have some left over, drop it off!

Don’t:

• Drop in non-prescription materials, such as:
• Vitamins
• Over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin and cough drops
• Trash (we have a trash can right next to the drop-off box you can use)
• Drop in liquids of any kind, even prescription drugs – they often leak and it’s really hard to clean the inside of the secure box
• Drop in needles, whether they are used or not – these pose a danger to staff who handle the contents of the drop-off box. There is a sharps container on the wall next to the drop-off box for used needles.
• Wait to bring in your excess medications – no amount of prescription medication is too little to drop off.

Thanks for your help and we look forward to seeing you dropping off medications soon!

This week we celebrated Administrative Professionals day at the City of Tumwater. Our Administrative Professionals are a critical part of our operations, keeping us organized, efficient and for being the face of the Tumwater Police Department for everyone who comes to our front counter, and the voice of TPD for everyone who calls the front desk.

This week, I asked our Police Service Specialists 1s (PSS1) some questions about some important aspects of their jobs and why they chose this particular career:

What do you find most rewarding about working at TPD?

• “All the positive feedback from our community! It feels so good to know they like and trust us.” – Ria
• “A sense of pride being able to help the public.” – Christina
• “The family mentality. In a tough line of work, it’s crucial to have a team that truly cares about each other and supports one another in any capacity possible.” - Ashleigh
• “The opportunity to make a real impact, whether that is helping community members coming into the PD, helping my direct coworkers, or helping officers with different projects that come up. It is fulfilling to know that the work we do has some positive impact in the community, whether it is small or big.” – Megan

 

What do you find most challenging?

• “When citizens are going through a really difficult circumstance and my ability to help is limited. Often times, I can lend an ear but the Officers are the ones who can fully assist.”  -Ashleigh
• “Interacting with all the different personality types that we handle in the front office. Whether on the phone or in person you never know who you’re going to be talking to, and many times you must adjust the way you talk to people accordingly. Many times, there are a lot of different emotions people are having and navigating those and knowing different techniques to make it go smoothly can be exhausting.”  -Megan
• “Trying to help people navigate the criminal justice system, a system that doesn’t always seem to make sense because of its complexity.”  -Christina
• “Dealing with situations involving children can be very difficult to hear about. Trying to communicate effectively and empathetically with all different kinds of people and attitudes can be difficult as well.” -Ria

 

Why did you choose an administrative position rather than a commissioned officer job?

• “I wanted to work in law enforcement but was just starting my career path after college and wanted to get some experience under my belt before deciding if I wanted to become an officer, as it is commonly a career commitment. It was also a great job opportunity that covered many interests that I had while looking for a career path. Another aspect I considered, since I am younger, is I did not want to dedicate my life to shift work.” -Megan
• “I’ve always found criminal justice interesting but I’m very introverted – I don’t think I have the social battery to do extroverted things for a whole 10 hour shift without burning out.” -Ria
• “I knew I wanted to serve my community and I really enjoy administrative work. I’ve been working in the criminal justice field for 10 years and this position has truly given me fulfillment.” -Ashleigh

I hope this gives you some insight into our administrative staff.  As you can see, they are as committed to our community and TPD as our officers are.  I feel fortunate that we have such talented and dedicated professionals.

Every day we read in the news about crime and the people who commit it.  True crime books, podcasts, and television shows capture our attention with details primarily about the suspect of the crime. However, in every crime, there is a victim who is impacted by the experience. Even after a case is resolved, those impacts may continue. Learn more about the effects of crime on victims and TPD’s efforts to reduce the negative consequences.

Becoming a victim of crime is usually unexpected and often traumatic. It takes away a victim’s sense of safety and the sense of being able to control their environment. These elements are key factors for any person’s well-being.  The impacts can be both physical and emotional. A victim may have sustained injuries that need to heal or that are going to impact them into the future.  Victims may experience the physical symptoms related to anxiety, such as a racing heart, stomach upset, or the inability to sleep well. Even when victims are not physically injured, the psychological effects can be substantial. They often experience helplessness because they were unable to avoid being a victim.  Anxiety is a frequent result of being victimized. Victims may have difficulty trusting others, while at the same time they may have feelings of guilt and self-blame, believing that their actions or lack of actions contributed to the crime.  Frequently, victims also experience financial impacts when possessions are taken or broken, when the physical or emotional impacts result in lost wages, and if medical bills are incurred.  

The nature of the crime does not determine the level of trauma that a victim experiences. One thing I have noticed in my years of policing is that that there isn’t a one-to-one ratio between the type of crime and the impacts on the victim.  Someone who has their car prowled while it sits in their driveway experiences many of the same effects felony crime victims experience.  It may seem like having some spare change taken from your car console is minor, but it can still engender fear, a lack of control, and anxiety about being victimized in the future.  

At TPD, we are victim-focused. Our primary goal is to stop crimes before anyone becomes a victim by being proactive in our duties. A key to proactive policing is our relationship with our community. The community plays a key role in notifying us about potential crime and safety issues. We also work with the community to collaborate on solutions. Additionally, we use data to inform us about where we should focus our resources. If the data indicates a particular type of crime is happening in a certain area, at a specific type of location (like retail stores), or during a specific time-frame, we direct our resources accordingly. We can help potential victims to protect themselves and interrupt criminal behavior as it happens.

Our victim focus goes beyond our public safety strategies. At its core is how we interact with people. The ability to demonstrate empathy is something we look for in our hiring process. Our members receive training about the impacts of crime on victims and how to help them with the initial trauma they experience.  We also have a chaplaincy program. Our officers may call on our chaplains to visit with a victim when he or she needs support.

The criminal justice system in Thurston County also has resources for crime victims. The Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office has two teams of specialized victim advocates who can help in a variety of ways. They act as liaisons between the victim and the Prosecuting Attorneys; they guide victims through court processes and familiarize them with courtrooms prior to hearings; they refer victims to necessary resources and provide information about how to protect themselves from threats or harm; and many other areas of victim support.  Another resource available to crime victims is the Crime Victims Compensation (CVC) program. This program is run by the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries. The CVC provides funds for medical treatment, partial wage loss replacement, and other expenses incurred by victims.

Sometimes, it appears that the criminal justice system centers solely on the criminals. At TPD, we strive to reduce victimization and to provide support to those who are impacted by crime.

Last week, Mayor Sullivan and the Tumwater City Council issued two proclamations: one recognizing Fair Housing Month and the second recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention month. Both are worthy of proclamation, and the second is especially important to law enforcement.

Some may feel that acts like these are just words on a page. I disagree. Proclamations such as these can have power. They can change a community. A proclamation is a document with two distinct parts.  It is both a statement of belief and a call to action.

The statement of belief is that child abuse impacts all of us, our entire community. From the victim of the abuse, other family members, to the first responders, police officers, fire fighters, medics, the investigators who build a case, the forensic interviewers who talk with the child, the TPD front office staff who review the case in order to send it where it needs to go, to the CPS caseworkers, school teachers and school counselors, medical personnel who provide care, to the prosecutors, the public defenders and the courts, and on and on. A crime like this impacts us all. A community is a reflection of how it treats and takes care of those most vulnerable, and they deserve our best.  

The second part of a proclamation is a call to action. This is where words on the page become tangible acts of kindness, true acts of change. What can any of us do about child abuse? We all have a role to play in protecting children in our community. Child abuse usually occurs in a void, a void where an adult who can intervene chooses not to do so. The first action is to take action. If you are aware of a child being abused or neglected, do something. If you can’t personally intervene, call 911 or make a report to Child Protective Services (CPS). Do something on behalf of that child. Additionally, you can invest in prevention. When we help keep families out of crisis, we can prevent abuse and neglect from occurring. You can invest in nonprofits that provide support for moms and dads and caregivers, groups that provide case management to families who are struggling, that provide parenting classes, that provide food and basic needs, or those that provide medical care for children. You can invest your resources in schools or other entities that create safe spaces for kids to be seen and supported by caring adults. Our community is full of opportunities to strengthen families and help children.

If anyone reading this started off thinking that words on a page - a proclamation by a city council -  don't have power, I hope I have given you something to consider. Words that inspire action can change the world.

A question our staff frequently gets is whether we have a jail. The answer to that is, “no”, we do not have a jail, but we do incarcerate suspects. Please read on to learn about the two correctional facilities we use.

For misdemeanor crimes, we contract with the Nisqually Corrections Center which is located on tribal land in the Nisqually Valley. The Nisqually Corrections Center opened in 2014 and we have been using this facility since it opened.  The current center is a modern corrections center. Inmates have access to outdoor spaces, community rooms, and program opportunities. The center provides medical services to the inmates, including mental health and substance abuse treatment. The Corrections staff take a professional approach to incarceration, using a restorative justice approach. The Nisqually Corrections Center has capacity for 288 inmates. It accepts inmates from all the local jurisdictions in Thurston County, except for the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office which has its own facility. They also house people from other Western Washington counties, other tribes, and the Washington State Department of Corrections. The Corrections Center is connected to the Thurston County courts via video links so inmates can attend court proceedings without having to leave the facility.

People accused of or found to be guilty of a felony crime are housed at the Thurston County Corrections Facility (TCCF). The TCCF is run by the Thurston County Sheriff’s office. This facility has a capacity for 425 inmates. Like the Nisqually facility, TCCF provides professional Corrections services, adopting evidence-based best practices. They provide medical and mental health treatment to inmates, as well as case management to help inmates successfully re-enter the community. By law, felony suspects are the responsibility of the County and felony suspects from all the local jurisdictions are house at TCCF.  TCCF also has video links with the Thurston County courts, which ensures inmates can attend their court appointments efficiently and safely.

We are fortunate to have two, high-quality corrections facilities in Thurston County. Professional corrections facilities help reduce recidivism and match the TPD philosophy of treating everyone with respect.

A couple of previous Messages from the Chief have addressed our response to people who are experiencing crises due to mental health issues or substance use and may also be committing crimes.  Police are just one part of the criminal justice system who are involved with people with mental health and substance use problems.  Today I would like to tell you about another part of the criminal justice system and the programs they have to help this population exit the criminal justice system in a better place than they entered it.

The Thurston County District and Superior Courts have invested in providing therapeutic courts to our community, in addition to traditional criminal courts.  Therapeutic courts are specialized courts that offer programs to participants to address the specific needs that brought them into the criminal justice system in the first place.  The therapeutic courts in Thurston County include:  Mental Health Court, Veterans Court, and Drug/DUI Court.  While they address different underlying issues, they all are built on an interdisciplinary approach that provides the participant with the support needed so that they are less likely to reoffend.  

Therapeutic courts are an alternative to incarceration.  The courts offer intense supervision, accountability, treatment, and social services.  The judge leads a team that usually includes a case manager, mental health providers, the defense attorney and the prosecutor.  The team designs an individualized program for the offender that prioritizes stabilizing the offender’s health and social situation while emphasizing personal accountability.  An individual in a therapeutic court is usually required to participate in treatment, make regular court appearances, and be monitored for substance use.  The courtroom setting is often more informal than a traditional courtroom to emphasize the therapeutic, rather than punitive, nature of the court.  While participants are expected to make progress, the team expects that setbacks may happen given the nature of the challenges facing participants.  When a setback occurs, the judge determines whether the individual can continue in the program, while considering input from the rest of the team.  Participation in a therapeutic court is usually a long-term process.  Participants stay involved with the court for at least two years before successfully completing their program.

The therapeutic courts in Thurston County are available to defendants who meet specific criteria.  The screening criteria determines what services they may benefit from and whether they are likely to be successful in completing a program.  Having a mental illness, a substance use disorder, or being a veteran does not guarantee a defendant will be accepted into one of the therapeutic courts.  Therapeutic courts have small caseloads so that they can provide the intensive management necessary for success.

Another key aspect of the Thurston County therapeutic courts is involvement by the community.   Peer counselors, who are graduates themselves, offer support to current participants.  Peer counselors have experienced similar challenges that brought them into the criminal justice system.  They provide encouragement and empathy to active court participants which augments the other services being provided.  Other members in the community lend their support, as well, especially at graduations.  The graduations are attended by everyone who helped the graduates succeed, police officers, military personnel, and others.  Attending a court graduation is a powerful experience for our officers.  The graduates are often people the officers have seen at their lowest point, and it is gratifying to be with them when they reach a high point.

I hope this quick snapshot of therapeutic courts helps you understand how different parts of the criminal justice system are working to help our community members struggling with substance abuse and mental health challenges.  Each part of the system has an opportunity to reduce recidivism which, in turn, increases public safety.

As you have read several times in this column, policing in real life is often quite different from how policing is portrayed in movies and on television. One area where this is true is the interaction between police and the media. In fictional police departments, the media is not well-regarded and the police rarely cooperate with reporters. Instead, they rely on saying “no comment” to every inquiry made by the media. In real life, police and the media work more cooperatively in the interest of providing information to the community.

TPD has two Public Information Officers (PIOs) who are the primary contacts for the media. Our lead PIO is our Detective Lieutenant, Jennifer Kolb.  Lt. Kolb’s experience with major investigations has taught her what kinds of information the public often wants to know. She also understands when specific pieces of information are critical to an investigation and cannot be released before the case is resolved. Our back-up PIO is our Administrative Manager, Laura Wohl.  Laura has experience as a law enforcement PIO and may substitute for Lt. Kolb when a case requires Lt. Kolb’s full attention. The two PIOs work together to ensure that the messages they give the media and the public are factual and consistent.

The media contact the PIOs when something captures their attention that they feel would interest the public. Most often, that occurs when a serious crime has been committed or when there is concern about a danger to the public. When the media gets in touch with the PIOs, the PIOs consider some key issues before releasing or confirming information: 

• Can we legally and ethically provide the information? For example, most information identifying juveniles may not be released to the public, so we would not give out juvenile names or other information that could identify them.
• Will releasing information compromise an investigation? The State of Washington has a very robust Public Records Act that gives the public, and the media to an even higher degree, access to police records. However, there are exceptions to the law if a case is still under investigation and releasing information could jeopardize the case.
• Will the information we release put someone in danger? For example, we would not release information about a witness if there is any concern of retaliation.

Our goal is to provide the media with information that will help the public understand the facts about an event. We also want the community to be aware of any on-going public safety risk or if we need their help to solve a crime. We work cooperatively with the media to ensure the reports they make to the public are based on the facts as we know them at the time. Sharing the things we do not know is often equally important in helping the community understand the status of the event. When we cannot provide information, either because it is not appropriate or because we simply do not know, we let the media know when additional information may be available.

In addition to responding to inquiries, we occasionally reach out directly to the media. The PIOs contact the media about cases we think will have public interest, in addition to posting information ourselves on our social media. We may also get in touch with the media when we need the community to help us find a missing person, locate a vehicle or a suspect, or to get the word out about a significant crime trend impacting Tumwater. Partnering with the media can help us solve crimes and reduce victimization, while making the public aware of important incidents in our community.

Of course, there are times when the goals of the media clash with the needs of the police. This can cause frustration on both sides. When this occurs, our PIOs work with members of the media to navigate through the differences in viewpoints. There may not be a resolution that fully satisfies both groups, but we try to find the common ground that exists.

I hope this gives you some insight into how TPD works with the media. Our goal is to maintain a relationship between members of the media and our department in order to keep our community informed.

Next week, I will be attending the Tumwater Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) Monthly Forum along with Acting Deputy Chief Carlos Quiles and Dr. Oliver Bowers, our Management Analyst.  I was asked to speak on the topic “Policing & Prosperity:  Building a Safer Tumwater Together.”  Today I want to share with you some of the information I will be presenting next week about TPD, looking back at our accomplishments in 2024 and then forward to our plans for 2025-2026.

In 2024, our biggest accomplishment was completing the Tumwater Police Department (TPD) Police Strategic Growth Plan (the Plan).  It is the culmination of three years of work with our community.  The Plan is TPD’s strategic and operational guide for the next five years.  It outlines how TPD will grow as the City grows, the level of service that TPD will provide to the community, and the resources needed to do so.  The Plan is researched-based, built upon current social science methods, community engagement, and best practices to ensure the plan reflects professional law enforcement standards and our community’s expectations.

Staffing was another area of success for TPD.  TPD has not had all its commissioned officer positions filled for several years.  We were able to significantly close that staffing gap in 2024, ending the year with only one open officer position. The Human Resources division partnered with TPD to streamline our hiring process, including holding monthly entry-level officer oral boards.  The process improvement will continue to serve us into the future - we anticipate continuously hiring for the next several years due to impending retirements in our commissioned ranks.

TPD was busy in 2024. We responded to 19,270 calls, on average 53 per day, ranging from suspicious person calls to welfare checks. We wrote 2,058 incident reports and made 787 arrests or referrals for prosecution. While the numbers have slightly decreased, the number of officers and the amount of time that is necessary for each response continues to increase. Our administrative staff carried a heavy and increasing workload. They fulfilled 1,567 public disclosure requests and processed 1,032 warrants and protection orders, while the thousands of interactions our members had with our community and the public underscore the quality of service we provide.

In 2025 and 2026, TPD had anticipated enhancing the services we provide to the public, as outlined in the Plan.  Unfortunately, our goals have been modified due to lack of resources.  For 2025, the Plan anticipated adding a retail corridor patrol, participating in a regional investigation team, and beginning a volunteer program.  In 2026, the Plan calls for a business liaison officer, an expanded School Resource Officer program to include the elementary schools, and a larger volunteer program.  These programs will not be implemented due to staffing limitations and lack of facility space.  Instead, we will continue to provide the quality public safety services that we currently provide, but in a more reactive, rather than proactive, manner.

We have two large technology projects that are moving forward over the next two years:  A new regional Records Management System (RMS) and Body worn cameras (along with new in-vehicle cameras). Both projects will require significant commissioned and administrative staff time to implement, in addition to our current workloads.  We anticipate that both these projects will be complete by the end of 2026. With the new RMS, our workflow will become much more efficient and we will be able to analyze crime data throughout Thurston County.  The body cameras will add transparency to how we interact with the public.  Additionally, TPD has developed a Communications program that will be expanding our social media and website content during 2025-2026.  Our community ranked these methods of communication as high priorities for maintaining the strong relationship between TPD and the public.

TPD will be adapting to a change in leadership in 2025. In March 2025, Chief Jon Weiks retired after 37 years of service. Succession planning is one of TPD’s core values and the department will be well-led by the Command Staff through the transition to a new Chief. A change of this magnitude will have an impact on the department. Practically, hiring will be an on-going priority. In addition to the Chief’s position, the body-worn camera project will require three new hires to be successful: an additional administrative employee, an administrative supervisor, and a sergeant. TPD also has five members who eligible to retire at this time and it is likely that at least some will choose to do so. We anticipate maintaining our current, monthly officer testing to ensure that vacancies can be filled expeditiously. To accommodate staffing increases planned for 2025-26, TPD needs additional facility space. In 2025, we will expand our secure facility by remodeling part of the basement space in City Hall currently occupied by the Parks Department. We also anticipate being involved in City-wide planning for meeting current and future space needs throughout the next several years.

I look forward to meeting our community at the TACC March Forum on March 19, 2025!

As many of you know, Chief Jon Weiks retired at the end of February.  I have the privilege of being appointed Acting Chief and want to introduce myself.  My name is Jay Mason. I started my career at the Tumwater Police Department in 1993. Since then, I have been a Patrol Officer, a Detective, a SWAT Team member, a Lieutenant, and most recently, the Deputy Chief. Tumwater and the Tumwater Police Department hold an important place in my life. Growing up, my family moved around a lot. At some points, every year was a new school. I made a promise to myself that when I had a family, we would find a community that we could connect with and that is where we would stay; that is where we would raise our family and invest in the community that we call home. Tumwater is home. I am committed to continuing to build on the great relationships TPD has with our community and to continue the quality service we provide.

My priorities are mission and people. The people of the Tumwater Community deserve the highest quality service we can provide. Anyone who lives, works or visits Tumwater will receive our best. Our mission is one that is wholly unique. We provide policing service to the greater Tumwater community 24/7/365 days per year. Understanding and executing this role at a high level, consistently, is our mission. One of highest priorities at TPD is to ensure that we have the right people to fill our positions, without compromise: men and women of high character, high drive and emotional intelligence.  For those who have earned the right to work at Tumwater PD, my focus is to make sure they have the leadership, training and equipment to succeed at their highest levels.

My values are respect, service, and perseverance.  Respect for others and respect for self are tantamount.  Sacrificial service to others is what drives me each day, both service to the community and service to the TPD members. Perseverance is my outlook on life: never give up and always look for better ways to move forward.

Because of the nature of our profession, police are regularly pulled in different directions and asked to take on many roles. The priorities and values outlined above are my foundation and will be at the heart of my work as TPD moves forward in 2025 and beyond. My commitment to the community is to continue our tradition of excellent policing services, while enhancing our outreach to the public.

I look forward to meeting you as I am out and about in Tumwater!

After 37 years it is time to close out my time with Tumwater PD. It has been an absolute honor and privilege to serve this community alongside some amazing people along the way. The community can be confident the police department is in good hands with Acting Chief Jay Mason and the command staff leading the way. Succession planning is something we have invested in for many years and they are all more than ready to continue the partnership with our community that keeps Tumwater a safe place to live, work and play. While I don’t personally partake in social media, I have been shown the many comments made regarding my retirement announcement. I sincerely thank everyone for all the kind words.

If there is one thing I would like the community know about as I leave, it is the current state of policing in the City. In 2024 we completed the Police Strategic Growth Plan, a multi-year comprehensive project identifying community expectations and the resources needed to fulfill the demand. The plan is TPD’s strategic and operational guide for these next five years. Additionally, the plan has touch points along the way so that the plan can be adapted as the community grows and changes. I would encourage you to become familiar with the plan, get involved with the Department, and understand the resources needed to make the plan a reality. Rest assured, even given the current City fiscal constraints, TPD staff are committed to providing the highest levels of service to our community.

Each month for the rest of 2025 this page will focus on a specific crime we regularly encounter in our community. This month, I’d like to tell you about Driving Under the Influence (DUI). Every day, in Thurston County, someone makes the poor decision to drive their vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Committing a DUI puts the entire community at risk.  It is a matter that we take very seriously and today I want to tell you about how we enforce DUIs.

Officers are trained to process DUIs in three steps: observing the vehicle in motion, personal contact with the driver, and pre-arrest testing. The first step involves watching how the vehicle is travelling in their lane of travel. The officer needs to determine whether the driving pattern indicates the driver may be under the influence. Some of the classic signs of DUI include the inability to drive within the lane of traffic, driving at inconsistent speeds and stopping for no reason, erratic braking, and failing to move when a traffic light they are waiting for turns green. When seeing these signs, among others, the officer will pull the driver over.

Upon contacting the driver, the officer is looking for signs of impairment. For example, how is the driver speaking? Is the speech slurred? Does the driver speak very slowly or does the driver have difficulty expressing thoughts? When asking for the driver’s license, is the driver able to remove the driver’s license from a wallet? Does the driver provide their license or a library card? The officer will consider whether there is a smell of alcohol or marijuana coming from the person or the vehicle. Visual observation will give the officer information about the person’s coordination and physical condition. Does the driver have difficulty opening the glove compartment? Are the driver’s eyes bloodshot or watery?  Have they wet their pants? The officer will also ask the driver if they have consumed alcohol, drugs, or any medications. Officers also have to be cognizant that the driver may have a medical condition that is contributing to these signs.

After observing the driver, and the officer has decided the driver may be impaired, they will ask the driver to perform a variety of screening tests. These include field sobriety tests that measure such things as the ability to follow directions, maintain balance, and visually follow an object. They may also ask the driver to take a portable breath test to gauge whether the driver has been drinking alcohol. If the driver either refuses these tests or the tests indicate impairment, the driver may be arrested. If the driver is arrested, they are taken to the station and asked to perform a breath test on a machine that is certified as accurate by the Washington State Crime Laboratory. If the driver refuses the test or the test indicates no alcohol is present, the officer is required to apply for a search warrant to obtain the driver’s blood. A judge is contacted immediately and if the warrant is granted, the officer will take the driver to a medical facility for a blood draw. The blood is submitted to the crime lab who will analyze it for alcohol and a variety of narcotics to determine if, and how much, of an intoxicant is found. Many people know that the legal limit in Washington for blood alcohol is currently .08%. However, there are also specific measurements for individual drugs. For example, the legal limit for marijuana is .05 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood. 

A question we are often asked is why someone can refuse to take field sobriety tests or a breathalyzer test. The answer is that Washington State law makes field sobriety tests voluntary because a person is not required to help the police investigate a crime. There are consequences, though, for refusing a breath test.  The most common one is the suspension of the driver’s license by the Department of Licensing. Under Washington law, when you are issued a license, you have agreed to take a breath test if you are suspected of driving while impaired. By refusing to consent to the breath test, you are facing a civil action and your license can be suspended even if you are not charged with the crime of DUI.

As you can see, DUI investigations are intricate. Our officers receive ongoing training to ensure their investigative skills specifically for DUI are maintained.  DUIs have multiple impacts on the community including injury, death, and property damage. Our officers take their responsibility to keep our community safe seriously and stopping DUIs is an important part of that commitment.

Lately, there have been a lot of news stories that involve law enforcement jurisdiction at the different levels of government: Federal, State, and local. Often these stories leave the public with questions about what jurisdiction actually means. Unlike many countries, law enforcement in the United States does not have a linear chain of authority. Federal law enforcement does not have authority over State law enforcement, and State law enforcement does not have control over local law enforcement.  It can be confusing to know which agencies enforce which laws. Read on for a simple overview of jurisdiction.

Federal law enforcement jurisdiction

Federal law enforcement is responsible for the enforcement of federal laws throughout the nation.  These laws are found in the United States Code (USC) and focus on crimes that can impact the entire country. They include areas such as terrorism, immigration, and cybercrime. They also have jurisdiction on most federal land, such as National Parks or federal buildings. With the exception of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), most federal law enforcement agencies are tied to a specific function of the national government: the US Postal Service (USPS) has agents who investigate crimes involving the mail, such as mail fraud and theft of mail; the investigators for the Department of Defense (DoD) and the various military branches are responsible for investigating crimes that occur on military posts or that involve the military; National Parks Rangers are responsible for law enforcement in the National Parks. Federal law enforcement plays an important role in crimes that span multiple states or countries. When crimes occur in multiple states, or when criminals flee from one state to another, federal agents have jurisdiction and usually will work in connection with local and state officers. Federal law enforcement is also responsible for investigating transnational organized crime and are the people who interact with law enforcement from other countries. 

State law enforcement jurisdiction

State law enforcement varies considerably from state to state in how they are organized and what they investigate within a state. Generally, they are responsible for enforcing state laws or providing services on state land, such as state facilities and state parks, forests, and shorelines. In Washington, state laws are found in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and there are several state agencies responsible for enforcing these laws (i.e. Washington State Patrol, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and others). The Washington State Patrol is the agency you are probably the most familiar with and they have jurisdiction on any roadway within the state. They also have a Criminal Investigations Division that investigates a variety of crimes and assists local jurisdictions when asked for assistance.  They handle complex investigations that may impact multiple local communities or those that a local jurisdiction does not have the resources to investigate. State law enforcement, however, cannot enforce municipal laws.

Local law enforcement jurisdiction

Local law enforcement in Washington are agencies that are part of a city or county. City police departments operate under the authority of elected City officials and communities elect their county sheriff. Local law enforcement officers and deputies have authority within their own city or county, with some emergency exceptions. Local law enforcement agencies may enforce their own local laws and all State of Washington laws. Local laws in Tumwater are spelled out in the Tumwater Municipal Code.  In addition, under RCW 10.93, agencies may provide “mutual aid” to other jurisdictions upon request.  When providing mutual aid, the officers and deputies have the same enforcement authority as they do in their own jurisdictions.  In Thurston County, the local jurisdictions and WSP provide mutual aid to one another on a regular basis and also work cooperatively to detect crime occurring throughout the county.

I hope this gives you a better understanding of how law enforcement jurisdiction works in the United States. It is sometimes complex, particularly because it differs from many other countries and the structure of state and local law enforcement jurisdiction varies from state to state. Ensuring that law enforcement personnel are acting within their authority is important in the pursuit of protecting your civil rights.

I am very happy to announce that we launched our Instagram page this week!  With its introduction, let me tell you about social media and how we use it to keep you, our community, informed.

When we were developing our Police Strategic Growth Plan (PSGP), we heard from our community members that they wanted to know more about TPD. The community wants to get to know our officers, understand our profession, and get information about public safety in Tumwater. We also heard that the majority of our community wants to be able to access information on-line, which gives the maximum flexibility for how and when people can get information. The partnership with our community is one of our highest priorities and we want to share with you what is happening in your police department and City. To that end, we currently have three on-line sources for information:

Facebook
TPD has had a Facebook page for many years. We are happy that so many people in Tumwater, and other places, check in with us on Facebook. We post on Facebook about events that we are hosting or attending, and about how TPD is growing and changing. You can also find on our Facebook page posts about our staff and some of the things they do while they are out and about in the city. Another way we use Facebook is to share information about crimes or criminal activity. Sometimes we use it to ask for your help in finding people who are missing, identifying suspects of crimes, or locating things like vehicles that may have been used in crimes or have been stolen. By “crowd sourcing” the search for information, we have been successful in solving crimes and apprehending criminals.

Instagram
Just launched this week, we are looking forward to telling you our story through photos and videos. Not only did the community ask us to join this social media platform, but our staff also clamored for us to get an account. Officers in the field want to share with you some of what they do and see while they are on shift. Of course, K9 Thor will be the subject of frequent postings.

The Chief’s Message
The Chief’s Message is one of our webpages and if you are reading this, you already know something about it! This outlet gives me the opportunity to give more in-depth information about specific criminal justice or TPD related topics.  Each week, I write about how TPD operates. Topics I have covered so far include an introduction to all the different positions within TPD, how we train our staff, and the equipment we use. I also use the message to give advice about how to stay safe, whether it’s driving through snow or avoiding scammers. Most of my messages center on TPD and how we police. Hopefully, through these messages, you can learn more about us, our values, and our commitment to our community. 

It's easy to get so involved with the day-to-day work we all do that staying in touch with one another can take a back seat. We work hard to stay connected with the community and social media is a valuable tool to make sure that happens.

As part of the 2025-2026 biennial budget, TPD was funded to add another Sergeant position. We currently have seven sergeants, six of whom are supervisors in our Patrol division and one who supervises the detectives. The new sergeant position will be an Administrative Sergeant whose primary duty will be managing our equipment, such as our vehicles and our cameras. We are planning to add body cameras to our equipment inventory (more about that in a future Chief’s Message) and the Administrative Sergeant will oversee their implementation, as well as manage them once they are issued. We are in the middle of the promotional testing process right now. Today, I want to tell you how we go about promoting an officer to become a sergeant.

At TPD, our sergeant positions are filled by promoting an existing officer – we do not hire from outside the agency. All TPD positions fall under the State of Washington Civil Service law for city police. Civil service regulations are meant to ensure a fair hiring process that eliminates favoritism or nepotism.  Following State law, the Tumwater Municipal Code establishes the rules for civil services positions and creates a Civil Service Commission who guides the civil service process. Under the Tumwater Civil Service rules, applicants must take a test that has been approved by the commission. In Tumwater, the sergeant test comprises two parts.  First, applicants take a multiple-choice written exam.  If they pass the test with a score of 75% or higher, they then take the second part of the test, the assessment center. The assessment center is a 4-hour event.  Each applicant will participate in 4 separate exercises, with a separate rating panel for each segment:

• Oral Resume – In this part of the assessment center, the applicant is asked to explain why they feel they will be a successful sergeant. They present their work history, education, and other experiences that qualify them to be a sergeant. In this segment, the raters are concentrating on whether the applicant has the building blocks to be a good sergeant and whether the applicant can apply past experiences and education to the sergeant position.
• Employee Relations – For this exercise, the applicant is given a scenario involving employees and must explain how they would handle it as a sergeant, and why. Because sergeants are first-line supervisors, it is imperative that they have a strong ability to relate to employees both in a supervisory role and as leaders in the department. Raters will score the candidate based on these factors.
• Community Presentation – In this section, the applicant is provided with a scenario that requires a public presentation addressing a community concern. The community is why TPD exists. We expect all our employees to strive to meet the needs of the community, to be cognizant of the community’s public safety concerns, and to form community partnerships whenever possible. Raters will judge the candidate on how well they demonstrate their ability to meet these standards.
• Tactical Scenario –This part of the assessment center is a table-top exercise. The candidate is given a critical public safety scenario and asked to provide a response plan. Sergeants are the tactical leaders in the field.  They must be able to think quickly, develop response plans that consider a variety of factors, and clearly communicate those plans to the responding personnel. The candidate’s score will reflect how well they accomplish these goals.

The raters in the assessment center are sergeants or command staff from other police agencies, who bring a wide variety of experience to the table. Our Human Resources department (HR) proctors the examination process, both the written exam and the assessment center, to ensure that all candidates receive the same information and that the rating system is fair.

Once the assessment center is complete, the candidates’ scores are calculated and verified by HR. All those who received a passing score are placed on a potential hiring list, in order of highest to lowest score. The list is presented to the Civil Service Commission who must certify it before a promotion can be made. Under our civil service rules, the Chief is allowed to consider the top seven candidates when filling a position. The Chief may appoint any one of the seven candidates; he is not required to hire the person with the highest score.  The list of sergeant candidates will remain active for one year, absent a request to the Civil Service Commission to abolish it and re-test. Any sergeant positions that come open during the year will be filled by a candidate on the list with no further testing.

As you can see, the process for selecting a new sergeant is challenging. When a sergeant exam is scheduled, the applicants are given an overview of what to expect in both the written exam and the assessment center. Most applicants will spend considerable time studying policy and procedure, reviewing past critical events, and talking to existing sergeants and command staff, within TPD and in other agencies. Even before an opening is imminent, officers who wish to become sergeants receive both relevant training and mentoring to prepare them to be successful. We have a strong commitment to succession planning at TPD and are proud to have officers and staff who will step into future leadership roles within the department.

Last year, I did a post about some of the technology we use in law enforcement. In that post, I mentioned that one of our biggest pieces of tech is our Records Management System (RMS) that we currently share with the other city police departments in Thurston County. I am pleased to announce that we have contracted for a new, modern system that will significantly improve our ability to provide proactive, data-driven policing.

Getting a new computer system may not seem like the most exciting news but let me explain why we are so happy that we have reached this milestone on the road to a new system. The RMS is the backbone for most of our records and data.  We use the RMS to document the life of a case. Documenting what we have done and why we did it is essential to the criminal justice system. Without good documentation, prosecutors and judges would be unable to determine whether a case can be prosecuted, while ensuring individual rights are being protected. A case may require multiple reports:  a report about the initial call to dispatch (a Call for Service Report), a report about what they found when they responded (an Incident Report), if detectives investigate, they will write an Supplemental Investigation Report. Should someone get arrested, an Arrest Report will be written. Evidence is tracked through the RMS, as well, both its location and the chain of custody from the moment it was collected. As you can see, documenting our work is complex. The RMS allows us to do this work efficiently and safely stores the records for future use, such a providing records to the public. We use the RMS for most of our documentation needs, from tracking court actions, such as Protection Orders and Warrants, to tracking management information, such as training and equipment.

While the RMS is a repository for most of our records, we also use it to collect our data. Our databases contain information about places, people, vehicles, crimes, the times crimes occur, even the weather (in collision investigations.)  The data allows us to proactively address public safety concerns. For example, Dr. Bowers continuously monitors the crime data to spot trends both in Tumwater and within Thurston County as a whole.  When the data suggests a trend may be occurring, he, along with the other regional analysts, analyze data about who has committed similar crimes in the past, where they live or work, who they associate with, and when the current crimes have occurred. They map the data to see if more connections can be made.  If the data suggests certain suspects or addresses that may be related to the crime trend, patrol officers and detectives are notified. From there, plans can be made to watch specific addresses or to contact people who are potentially involved. Data-driven investigative techniques are often key to identifying criminals and interrupting their behavior.

Our ability to effectively use the information and data we collect will expand considerably with the new RMS. The system is built on a highly configurable platform which will allow us to design the system for the specific needs of Thurston County. It is easier to use than our current system, which means our staff – both officers and administration – will be able to do their work more efficiently and the learning curve for new staff will be less steep. We will be able to design workflows that move information and data from one group to another seamlessly and automatically. Best of all, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) will also use the technology. This means that information and data will be shared between all the local jurisdictions within Thurston County giving law enforcement a comprehensive view of public safety throughout the county (and, as a bonus, we will be able to share the cost of the system). Along with the RMS, we are also implementing a new Jail Management System (JMS) that will be used at the Thurston County Corrections facility. The JMS will give TCSO a modern and powerful tool for managing their corrections responsibilities.

The RMS/JMS project has been in progress since 2022. Contracting is the first step of implementation. Given the complexity of what we ask the RMS and JMS to capture, it will take a significant amount of time to build all our processes and the various “bones” of the system. The consortium of law enforcement agencies sharing the system hired a project management firm who will be guiding us through the process, but staff from all six agencies will be involved in getting it up and running. To ensure the system is optimized for all users, we have a wide variety of employees making up the implementation team: patrol officers and deputies, corrections deputies, supervisors, detectives, K9 handlers, administrative staff, analysts, managers, and IT. We hope to bring the system on-line in about 18 months. We are looking forward to having a state-of-the-art system that will help us further improve our service to the community.

About this time last year, my Chief’s Message was about our training program and its goals to keep our members’ skills sharp, succession plan, and help members reach their goals.  I thought I would follow up this year and tell you specifically about the training we will engage in for 2025.

As I mentioned last year, our training program is robust.  A lieutenant, currently Lt. Carlos Quiles, is assigned to manage the complex program.  In this role Lt. Quiles has many responsibilities.  For example, he is responsible for our training teams.  These are the teams of instructors who perform most of our Department training that occurs 12 times a year.  He ensures that our instructors receive the latest training and remain certified.  He meets with each team regularly to review lesson plans, including how members will demonstrate their knowledge after having been trained.  Lt. Quiles also coordinates training outside of the Department that our members attend.  One of our administrative staff assists the lieutenant with managing the training records, but Lt. Quiles is responsible for organizing all the Department training, managing the training budget for the entire Department, and verifying that certifications of all kinds are maintained.  Needless to say, it’s a big job.

Each year, months before the new year starts, the Training Lieutenant develops the training plan for the upcoming year.  As you can imagine, between scheduling the officers, scheduling venues, and making sure space and equipment are available, we need to plan well in advance.  In 2025, our Department training starts in January, with our annual training on Use of Force.  This training covers our policies regarding use of force, new case law, and role- playing various scenarios.  January training also covers the use of the Taser and Police Tactics.  Police Tactics is a topic that covers when and why police action may be taken, as well as best practices for communication and de-escalation.  The March training is dedicated to firearms training and includes scenarios such as hostage rescue.  In the summer, we will again take over a local school and have a full day of training on responding to Active Threats, practicing our response to an active threat with our colleagues from the fire department.  We will be on the vehicle track in the autumn practicing Emergency Vehicle Operation.  Topics that take less than a day are scheduled throughout the year.  After the legislature has concluded, the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office will present training on any new legislation and case law.  We will do a refresher of our ABLE training (Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement), which covers the duty to intervene when fellow officers are acting outside of policy.  In 2025, our entire Department, including non-commissioned staff, will renew their First Aid certifications, as well.

Most of our members will also attend training outside of the Department.  Officer Grimmett and Thor, our K9 team and his K9, will be attending a five-week course to certify the team for narcotics detection.  Our detectives have already spent three days training in domestic violence investigation techniques.  Four of our members will be attending the Northwest Leadership Seminar, which is a four-day event specifically focused on leadership in first-responder professions.  Our School Resource Officers will be attending the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) conference over the summer and our Code Enforcement Officers will be attending the American Association of Code Enforcement conference in October.  Administrative staff will be taking classes related to public disclosure, evidence room management, and public information.  These are just a sample of the professional development our members will attend.

I hope this overview of the 2025 training gives you an idea about how much we value continuous learning and growth.  We make these investments in our employees to provide our community with police services of the highest caliber.

Before I dive into today’s topic, I want to say Thank You! to everyone who reached out yesterday for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day with good wishes. We truly value your support. I want to give a special Thanks! to the residents of Olympics West who visited the station and brought delicious cookies. Our officers enjoyed meeting you and have almost finished off the platters of cookies.

Communication is key to everything we do. Whether we are responding to a call or meeting the community in another context, we must be able to communicate to do our jobs effectively. A question we are frequently asked is how we communicate with community members who do not speak English or who cannot hear. Our officers and staff encounter this situation fairly often.  TPD has several tools available to bridge the communication gap. First of all, TPD has a program to allow members to be certified as interpreters.  We currently have three members who are certified Spanish interpreters. As interpreters, they can be called by other TPD members when Spanish interpretation is needed, whether in the filed or at the station. Several other officers are not certified as interpreters but have skills in a language other than English and help, when possible. If an interpreter is not available, we use the AT&T Language Line.  This is a telephone service that gives us access to interpreters who speak a wide variety of languages and dialects. The officer and the non-English speaker work through the interpreter on the phone.  As a last resort, we may rely on family or community members to relay information between the officer and the non-English speaker. We try to use other options, though, to ensure that the interpretation is accurate and to avoid putting friends and family in potentially difficult or awkward situations. Sometimes we only need to exchange simple information, such as giving directions. In these situations, we may ask someone who is not a certified interpreter to help. In circumstances where a person’s rights are involved, or we need to officially understand the information we are receiving, we make sure a fluent interpreter is used.

Communicating with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing is more intricate than communicating in a different spoken language. For example, it is important to consider how the person can see the speaker’s lips and body language. Additionally, there is a significant range of hearing loss and speech perception among people who are hard of hearing. The way in which one person wants to be communicated with will differ from how another person can best understand. TPD officers have specific training in how to communicate with the deaf and hard of hearing. They learn techniques for making themselves better understood, to ask the individual how they want our officers to communicate, and how to make sure the environment is conducive to making the communication as successful as possible.   

The Tumwater community is vibrant and diverse. TPD understands that we need to be able to communicate with all our community members. People interact with the police most often during times of stress and we do not want communication problems to exacerbate the situation. At the same time, we also need to ensure that everyone can understand their rights and other legal concepts. Communication is key to treating all of our community members with respect.

I received a wonderful letter today from a relative of a woman suffering from dementia. We were able to help the woman and her family as her conditioned worsened. You can read the letter on our Facebook page. This led me to think about how TPD interacts with members of our community who may be facing limitations due to aging, both physical and mental. I would like to share with you how we serve these folks and give you some tips that may help if you have a relative, friend, or neighbor who has dementia or other limitations.

TPD receives different kinds of calls that lead us to interact with those with dementia. Sometimes, an individual calls because he or she cannot find their vehicle or cannot find their way home. Other times, a community member is trying to help someone who appears lost or disoriented. The third, most serious type of call, is when someone with dementia is missing. 

In the first two types of calls, the responding officer will reassure the person who is struggling and try to help them problem-solve. They will ask them questions about whether they have any identification or a mobile phone that may have information that sheds light on who the person is and where they live. Many times, the officer will take the individual home. But, the call doesn’t end for our officers when the person is safe in their home. Our officers will try to identify a relative or friend who can help the person remain safe in the future and provide them with resources. In some cases, officers may notify the Washington State Adult Protective Services that a member of our community needs assistance or contact other social services who may be able to help. At different times, our officers have driven someone’s vehicle to their home when the person was lost, made sandwiches for someone who hadn’t been eating, and made calls to treating physicians to let them know their patient was having problems. Most importantly, they treat people with dementia with patience and respect.

The third case, when someone is missing, is a more critical call. Finding a missing person, especially one who may be unable to remember where they live or other key aspects of their lives, is an emergency. The sooner we can start looking, the more likely we will find the person who hopefully has not had a chance to travel far. TPD will first understand the person’s condition and then gather as much information as possible about when the person went missing and where they might possibly be. In some cases, we may use our K9 to try to track the missing person. We may also call on other agencies to assist in a search. In some cases, we may initiate a Silver Alert.

The Washington State Patrol issues Silver Alerts on behalf of law enforcement agencies.  Silver Alerts are an important tool for finding those who may be lost and suffering from dementia or other illnesses. Like other alerts, such as an Amber Alert for missing children, Silver Alerts are broadcast widely to the public to crowd-source the search. This is an excellent example of the community partnering with law enforcement to increase public safety. Silver Alerts can only be requested by law enforcement and specific criteria must be met before a Silver Alert is issued: 

• The person who is missing is age 60 or older and is in danger because of age, physical or mental health, or severe weather conditions and is not able to return to safety without assistance.
• Enough information is available to assist in the recovery of the missing person.
• The case was reported to and investigated by law enforcement.

Silver Alerts are broadcast in several mediums, including text messages, social media, and electronic highway signs. This allows thousands of people to join the search as they go about their daily business. The Washington State Patrol notes that most people who are the subject of Silver Alerts are found safely, and often it is a sighting by a community member that makes the difference.

If you are supporting someone with dementia, here are some tips to help them remain safe:

Keep doors locked. A locked door reminds the person that they shouldn’t leave by themselves.

Install an alarm that chimes when a door is opened. This will alert you if you aren’t within sight of the person.

Use a location tracking device. Tracking devices use GPS to show where the person is located. They can be attached to clothing, installed in shoes, or worn as a watch or piece of jewelry. 

Have the person wear a medical alert bracelet. The bracelet can have information about their medical condition as well as a phone number for first responders to call.

Talk to neighbors. Let your neighbors know that the person you are supporting has memory problems and should not be out alone.  Ask them to call you should they see the person alone.

Taking care of our community members with dementia and assisting their caregivers is a partnership that we value in our service to the community.