Focusing on an Increase Positive Public Perception of Safety and Overall Quality of Life

What makes us feel safe? Many things contribute to our perception of safety such as clean water to drink and clean air to breathe, walkability (including crosswalks and traffic design) and conditions in our neighborhoods, the lighting on streets, property crime, social connections with our neighbors, quality opportunities for children, and much more. Unsafe community conditions can also dampen economic development and discourage business retention, attraction, and expansion.

Tacoma's First Focus Area is Policing with our Commitment to Improve Existing Systems 

Resolution 40622 which was passed on June 30, 2020 by the Tacoma City Council, affirms the City of Tacoma’s commitment to improving existing systems for all community members, with the first stated priority being local policing. 

See What We Are Doing in the Following Areas:

Priority: Increase positive public perception of safety and overall quality of lifeWhat makes us feel safe? Many things contribute to our perception of safety such as clean water to drink and clean air to breathe, the walkability (including crosswalks and traffic design) and conditions in our neighborhoods, the lighting on streets, property crime, social connections with our neighbors, quality opportunities for children, and much more. Unsafe community conditions can also dampen economic development and discourage business retention, attraction, and expansion

Transforming the Tacoma Police Department

We have created a web map to visualize the laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, initiatives and projects that Tacoma Police Department are using to drive transformation.

Click on the Transforming the Tacoma Police Department image below to learn more.

Police Reform

8 Can't Wait Campaign

Body-Worn Cameras

Dash Cameras 

City of Tacoma Takes A Pledge Addressing Police Use of Force Policies

On July 21, 2020, Mayor Victoria Woodards joined other mayors across the nation in signing on to the four-part pledge developed by the My Brother's Keeper Alliance, an Initiative of the Obama Foundation, to engage our community in reviewing Tacoma’s use of force policies.

The My Brother’s Keeper Alliance calls on mayors to commit to the following actions:

1. Review your police use of force policies.
2. Engage your communities by including a diverse range of input, experiences, and stories in your review.
3. Report the findings of your review to your community and seek feedback.
4. Reform your community’s police use of force policies.

Initial Review of Use of Force and Body Worn Camera Policies

Over the summer, the Tacoma Police Department worked with the Community’s Police Advisory Committee (CPAC) to do an initial review of the City’s use of force policies. Based on community feedback, initial review and reform efforts were primarily focused on those policies identified in the national “8 Can’t Wait Campaign.” 

The City of Tacoma was compliant in a number of areas, but as a result of this work has made changes to now be in alignment with all of the 8 Can’t Wait goals. 

Current State Assessment and Additional Policy Review

While the primary objectives of the Obama Pledge have now been achieved, the Community’s Police Advisory has expressed a continuing commitment to a comprehensive review of all relevant policies. This work will follow a report from 21st Century Policing that includes a current state assessment of relevant policing policies as well as initial discussions with identified community stakeholders and employees from every level of the police department. 

To learn more about this initiative, visit obama.org/mayor-pledge.