Chief of police Jobs in Tacoma, WA

Salary : $88,308.00 - $124,932.00 Annually

Location : 33325 8th Ave S, Federal Way

Job Type : Regular Full-Time

Job Number : 2600429

Department : Police

Opening Date : 01 / 02 / 2026

Closing Date : Continuous

Basic Function

A POSITION IN THIS CLASSIFICATION WILL BE REPRESENTED BY THE FEDERAL WAY POLICE GUILD.

TO APPLY : Public Safety Testing (PST) administers our written examinations. Applications through our website will only be accepted after you have passed PST's testing process and you have been notified of your eligibility by the Civil Service Secretary. Please visit PST's website at to complete the application online and select the testing date and / or location most convenient for you. If you have any questions, please call toll free at 1-866-447-3911 or contact the City's Civil Service Commission Secretary / Chief Examiner at 253-835-2533.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE : In accordance with RCW 41.04, veterans who meet criteria for Veteran's Preference and achieve passing scores on competitive employment examinations have 5 to 10% added to their final weighted score where a ranked eligibility list is established. For Veterans' Scoring Criteria, please submit copy 4 of your DD214. RE-APPLICATION : Pursuant to Civil Service Rule 8.12.1 no one may be reexamined for the same class within six (6) months of the effective date of a successful examination.

OUR MISSION :

The mission of the Federal Way Police Department is for every member to consistently earn the public's trust while enhancing the quality of life for residents, visitors, and businesses within our City. We accomplish our mission by providing the highest quality law enforcement, community education, and support services possible while making the best use of the resources entrusted to us. We are recognized as professional, innovative, diverse, ethical, and as a valued partner in building economic viability in our area.

Experienced Officers will be hired at a wage commensurate to their experience level. Requires high school graduation, successful completion of a basic police academy, minimum of one year of continuous law enforcement employment at a municipal, county or state law enforcement agency as a police officer performing the essential duties on patrol, and no more than 18 months break in service or a former police officer with the Federal Way Police Department with no more than 5 years break in service and with written approval by the appointing authority. College level course work in law enforcement or related field, bilingual capability and specialized law enforcement training are highly desirable. Prior to employment must be a citizen of the United States of America or a lawful permanent resident; attainment of the age of 21 years; a valid Washington State driver's license and good driving record, certificate of successful completion of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Police Officer Academy or an equivalent basic law enforcement academy certificate; submission to thorough employment reference and background investigation; submission to psychological and general medical evaluation; submission to FBI record check and polygraph examination. Felony conviction disqualifies.

Incentives for Lateral Officers : Hiring bonus of $40,000 for experienced police officers will be paid in four installments. The following installments : first upon meeting requirements for the Equivalency Academy (medical clearance and firearms qualification) of $5,000; second successful completion of the six month probationary period of $10,000; third at one year anniversary date of hire of $10,000; and final at eighteen month anniversary for $15,000. Also eligible for additional career development pay incentives.

BASIC FUNCTION :

Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, and performing individually or as a member of a team, participate in the following activities : enforce state statutes and local ordinances, regulations and laws; apprehend suspects; respond to and investigate disturbances, services and accident calls; patrol and conduct surveillance; receive training and maintain skills proficiency; operate a vehicle during routine and emergency situations; communicate with the public in normal and adverse situations; complete verbal and written reports and documentation; work independently following written or verbal instructions that are general in nature; and perform a variety of specialized duties as assigned. Successful candidates will have a strong service orientation and demonstrated record of responsiveness to community priorities and concerns.

The incumbent in this position will create and nurture a community-oriented public safety department as envisioned by the City Council and set forth in the department vision and values statement : a department which inspires a sense of confidence and security in the citizens of Federal Way through professionalism, citizen involvement, and creative approaches to public safety; a department which is distinguished as a caring, competent, firm, fair, accessible and innovative organization that actively seeks opportunities to help citizens; a department which is a part of, rather than apart from, the community, fostering an efficient citizen-police partnership to insure a safe and secure city.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Developing Relationships / Representing / Handling Inquiries : Establish rapid rapport with new contacts; deal effectively with complaints by being polite to customers; maintain good public relations; establish good relationships with antagonistic individuals; work closely with team; verbally answer inquires about public safety as a service; and establish a network of contacts. Communicate with other City personnel, law enforcement agencies and health care and social service providers to coordinate efforts, resolve problems, and exchange information.

Deciding : Decide, on own initiative or in conjunction with others, to pursue a course of action; make decisions under time pressure in a quick manner and after evaluation of the situation; choose appropriate materials to complete a job, and decide whether to refer problems to a supervisor.

Motivating : Gain willing cooperation by understanding the personal needs or motives of others; provide reassurance for those suffering anxiety; create and foster team spirit; get individuals to carry out unappealing tasks; warn people to increase their motivation; sustain interest of others in tasks.

Controlling / Directing / Reviewing : Direct action in emergencies; manage unexpected situations; ensure that safety precautions are observed; review to assess compliance with laws, rules, etc.; follow up with people to expedite work completion.

Cooperating / Acting as a Liaison : Encourage cooperation from peers and colleagues, and between team members; act as liaison with supervisors, clerical and / or non-sworn personnel, with managers / professionals, and between organizations or departments.

Disciplining / Handling Disputes and Grievances : Avoid emotional involvement in disputes; reduce tension between people; handle grievances effectively by listening to all sides involved and being sympathetic; handle disciplinary problems firmly and effectively; warn people by threat of punishment and issue formal warnings; physically restrain people where necessary; order rule breaking public to leave a public premises, and resolve disputes.

Supervising / Directing : Maintain a physical presence to ensure all is well; issue directions in emergent situations; direct the public to obey laws and supervise to ensure that this is done; give verbal instructions to colleagues.

Security / Cleaning / Handling : Patrol a defined area; apply manipulation to body and / or limbs as necessary and appropriate; handle dangerous items (i.e. poisons, explosives, etc. where appropriate) gently to avoid pain / damage to a person or object; physically handle animals.

Informing / Reporting : Prepare accurate and detailed investigative reports; complete a variety of forms and issue citations as appropriate; provide information either verbally or in writing about a case; contact manager or supervisor for authorization; give instructions via radio or telephone; make verbal reports of problems or status to immediate supervisor; explain technical situations to the public in lay terms; present formal training sessions as requested; and brief individuals on tasks or situations.

Assisting / Caring : Respond to a wide variety of calls from citizens in need of first aid, information and general assistance; counsel or advise on personal problems; assist members of the public with psychological problems; provide emotional support or comfort; look after the needs of members of the public, including the young and elderly, the disabled, and other vulnerable adults.

• Respond to calls, complaints or reports of the actual, possible or potential occurrence of specific criminal activity; assure protection of the crime scene and physical evidence; perform preliminary investigations as directed. Provide a variety of police protection and other services to enforce the laws and ordinances of Federal Way and to safeguard the lives, property and constitutional rights of citizens.
• Perform a variety of specialized police assignments in specialty programs identified by the Director of Public Safety such as hostage negotiation, K-9, firing range, DWI enforcement, domestic violence, traffic enforcement and investigation, field training, search and rescue, special events, public information, crime prevention, school related programs, property and contracted services, training, recruitment and hiring, and vice and narcotics investigations.

Collecting Information : Interview persons with complaints and inquiries; attempt to make the proper disposition or direction to proper authorities; observe unusual or dangerous occurrences or warning symbols; ask questions to establish information required; watch out for safety or health hazards; listen or observe if a dangerous situation occurs; listen to all arguments and evidence, verbal instructions from superiors, and to verbal reports from fellow officers or subordinates.

Analyzing / Integrating / Interpreting : Summarize verbal information given, critically examine all information for accuracy and quality; interpret rules, laws, regulations and codes for the public; and interprets information to simplify reports or evidence gathered.

Selling / Influencing : Provide information on laws and ordinances, police services, and other information to the public as requested; make a spoken case for a course of action; contact citizens as part of routine checking procedures.

Administering / Writing / Drawing : Complete forms or other structured documentation; keep detailed records of events, occurrences, and work undertaken; produce legible handwriting and make freehand sketches if necessary.

Responding Physically : Physically restrain suspects as needed via quick reaction to visual and sound signals, using physical coordination of hand and foot. Provide first aid and rescue services at crime scenes, accidents and other emergency situations.

Using Tools / Modifying : Utilize and maintain a variety of specialized equipment such as firearms, police vehicles, radios, baton, kubaton, handcuffs, flares and chemical mace according to established procedures.

Controlling Vehicles : Maintain proficiency in driving; operate police vehicles which may include cars, vans, trucks, powered water vehicles.

Using the Senses : Make fine auditory and visual discrimination; identify colors; recall both verbal or written instructions over hours and days.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Requires high school graduation, successful completion of a basic police academy, minimum of one year of continuous law enforcement employment at a municipal, county or state law enforcement agency as a police officer, and no more than 18 months break in service College level course work in law enforcement or related field, bilingual capability and specialized law enforcement training are highly desirable.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS :

Possession of, or ability to obtain prior to employment, U.S. citizenship; attainment of the age of 21 years; a valid Washington State Drivers License and good driving record; certificate of successful completion of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Police Officer Academy or equivalency certificate; attainment of department standards of physical fitness; submission to thorough employment reference and background investigation; submission to psychological and general medical evaluation; submission to FBI record check and polygraph examination. Felony conviction disqualifies.

Knowledge and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE OF :

ABILITY TO :

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS / PHYSICAL EFFORT :

Work includes indoor and outdoor environments and may require time in a vehicle, with most time spent sitting, standing and walking, and with some running, stooping, kneeling and climbing. Some time may be spent at high or low temperatures, in contaminated air, dirty environments or noisy conditions, in restricted space, with inadequate lighting, with machine vibration and wearing body, ear and eye protection. Position may involve exposure to gunfire, toxic chemicals, traffic hazards, occasional driving at high speeds, communicable diseases and physical and / or verbal abuse from hostile or disoriented individuals. Employees are assigned shifts covering all twenty-four hours, seven days a week.

The City of Federal Way offers a complete benefits package to regular status full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Regular status part-time employees, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.

To learn more details, visit our benefits page.