03/13/2017 - Tigard Selects Kathy McAlpine as New Chief of Police 41
City of Tigard
Press Release
13125 SW Hall Boulevard I Tigard, Oregon 97223 www.tigard-or.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 13, 2017
Contact:
Marty Wine
City Manager
City of Tigard
503-718-2486
marty@tigard-or.gov
Tigard Selects Kathy McAlpine As New Chief of Police
Tigard City Manager Marty Wine today announced the —-
selection of Kathy McAlpine to lead the Tigard Police
Department as Chief. McAlpine currently serves as an
Assistant Chief of Police with the Tacoma Police
Department; she is expected to be in place in Tigard in mid- _
April.
"Asst. Chief McAlpine is a proven law enforcement leader
who has demonstrated energy, commitment, and
community collaboration,with a wealth of knowledge
gained in a successful career in Tacoma," said Wine. "Tigard
is seeking all these qualities in our police chief and we are
excited to welcome her to the Tigard Police Department.
I'm confident her innovation and creativity will serve Tigard
well for the future of our city that's growing and changing."
McAlpine has been with the Tacoma Police Department
since 1986,rising through the ranks from Patrol Officer to
Detective, Sergeant,Lieutenant, Captain and, now,Assistant Chief of Police—the rank she has held for the
past five years. Some of her accomplishments include developing programs such as the Peer Support team
and the Early Intervention System. She also developed the Department-wide gang strategy, oversaw the
department's first gang unit, and led the department's accreditation team to achieve their first accreditation
through the Commission on Accreditation in Law Enforcement in 2010, and a successful second re-
accreditation in 2016.
In her current position, as Assistant Chief of Police,Administrative Services Bureau,McAlpine is
responsible for management of the department's $159 million biennial budget in coordination with the
Budget Office. She is also a member of Tacoma's Equity and Empowerment Think Tank and the city's
Executive group for the design and implementation of Project Peace (Partnering with Equity And
Community Engagement) community forums to create a level of trust,relationship and understanding with
Tacoma's diverse communities.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to serve the Tigard community and to be a part of the City's leadership
team," said McAlpine. "I look forward to meeting and working with community members,business owners
and the men and women of the Tigard Police Department, and developing a shared vision for the police
department that's aligned with the city's strategic plan. I am thankful for my 30 years with the Tacoma
Police Department and the knowledge, skills and abilities I have developed throughout the years that have
culminated in the opportunity to be Tigard's next Chief of Police."
Tigard's recruitment process for a new Police Chief started in October 2016, shortly after former Chief
Alan Orr announced his retirement after 46 years in law enforcement.
The City began their efforts by asking the community to weigh-in on what qualities they thought the city
should look for in a new Police Chief via an online survey;they received 75 comments.
McAlpine holds a Bachelors degree in Workforce, Education and Development from Southern Illinois
University;is a graduate of Northwestern University Police Staff and Command Class #321; and has a
Masters of Science in Criminal Justice from Columbia College. She is a member of the Pierce County
Chiefs Association and the Washington Association of Police and Sheriffs. She is also a co-founder of the
Northwest Women's Law Enforcement Network.