COMMUNITY TOWN HALL
Independent Civilian Oversight of the Tacoma Police Department
After 40 years, the time is now. Join us to learn more and build mutual accountability for Tacoma.
Why Independent Civilian Oversight?
For nearly 40 years, Tacoma residents have called for meaningful independent civilian oversight of the Tacoma Police Department. Commissions have been formed. Resolutions have been passed. Promises have been made. And yet, at every critical moment, structural change has stalled.
The result: a pattern of preventable harm, eroded trust between communities and law enforcement, and millions of taxpayer dollars spent on claims and settlements that effective oversight could have helped avoid.
What Independent Civilian Oversight Means
Independent civilian oversight gives community members a structured role in reviewing police conduct, recommending policy changes, and ensuring transparency and accountability. Cities across the country have adopted oversight models that strengthen both public trust and public safety.
Independent civilian oversight is not anti-police. It is pro-community, pro-safety, and pro-accountability. Officers who serve with integrity benefit from a system that holds everyone to the same standard.
Why Existing Structures Are Not Enough
Tacoma currently has limited mechanisms for community input on policing. But input is not the same as oversight. Existing structures do not include the independent authority necessary to investigate complaints, compel transparency, or recommend meaningful policy changes. This is the gap independent civilian oversight is designed to fill.
What to Expect
This is not a lecture. It is a community conversation about the future of public safety in Tacoma.
You Will Hear From:
Community leaders, a former Tacoma mayor, and advocates who will share the history, the human impact, and the path forward for independent civilian oversight.
You Will Have the Opportunity To:
Ask questions, share your perspective, and connect with neighbors and organizations working toward the same goal.
You Will Leave With:
A clear understanding of what independent civilian** oversight is, why it matters for Tacoma, and exactly how you can take action.
Register for the Town Hall
Registration is free and open to all. Registered attendees will receive an information package before the event so you can come prepared to engage.
Walk-ins are absolutely welcome. Registration helps us plan and ensures you receive materials in advance.
About the Tacoma Pierce County Coalition
The Tacoma Pierce County Coalition is a broad alliance of community organizations, faith leaders, civic advocates, and residents united by a shared belief: Tacoma deserves meaningful, independent civilian oversight of its police department.
Our coalition builds on decades of community advocacy, including the recent campaign for a Department of Justice investigation into the Tacoma Police Department. We are neighbors, congregations, educators, legal professionals, students, and families who believe that when community is valued, everyone benefits.