The Tacoma City Council is seeking residents to fill five vacancies on the Community’s Police Advisory Committee, an advisory panel that provides input on Tacoma Police Department policies, procedures, training and programs.
Applications are due by noon Oct. 12. The vacancies include representatives from City Council Districts 1, 2 and 3, an Emerging Leader position and one at-large position open to Tacoma residents.
The committee, commonly known as CPAC, advises the City Council, city manager and police chief on matters involving police policies, procedures, rules, training and programs. At the request of the City Council or city manager, members may also review completed investigations and other department matters.
Another part of the committee’s role is connecting residents with the city’s police accountability process. CPAC promotes awareness of the public complaint process and receives and reviews policy complaints from community members.
The committee also works to foster communication between the Tacoma Police Department and the community and can convene community conversations about public safety, police services, programs, policies, procedures and training.
Applicants must live in Tacoma, cannot hold another elective public office and cannot currently serve as a member of the Tacoma Police Department or be an immediate family member of a department employee.
The city is encouraging residents from a range of backgrounds to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ residents, people with disabilities, seniors, young people, immigrants and refugees, as part of its effort to have city committees, boards and commissions reflect Tacoma’s population.
Those appointed to CPAC will be required to complete training on Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act within 90 days of their appointment.
Applications can be submitted through the City Clerk’s Office at tacoma.gov/cbcapplication. More information about CPAC is available at tacoma.gov.
Questions about the application process, requests for an application in an alternate format or requests to submit additional documents can be directed to the City Clerk’s Office at servetacoma@tacoma.gov or 253-591-5178.
