Volunteer : Police Officer and Selection Committee

Overview

The City of Tacoma Police Department is seeking community members to volunteer on the Police Officer Interview and Selection Committee (POISC). This is a non‑paid, volunteer position.

The POISC panel consists of four individuals—three commissioned officers and one community member—and plays a key role in the oral board/interview stage of police officer hiring. Volunteers will serve for a minimum of one calendar year, attending interviews on designated weekdays and completing required training and background checks.

Volunteers are expected to be available on weekdays between 0900‑1130 or 1200‑1430 on either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Each interview day involves five candidate interviews; typically one POISC member attends one day per month.

• Participate in oral board/interview sessions as a panel member.
• Complete a brief background check, bias‑awareness training, and bind a confidentiality agreement.
• Maintain fairness and impartiality while evaluating candidate readiness and scoring per the established matrix.
• Stay engaged and attentive throughout each full interview.
• Present a professional, respectful demeanor toward all candidates.

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must be a resident of the City of Tacoma or work within its limits.
• Must satisfactorily pass a department/agency background check.
• Must affirm availability to serve for a minimum of one calendar year.
• Must attend mandatory training.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Commitment to confidentiality and willingness to sign a binding agreement.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound, thoughtful decisions.
• Proven ability to maintain high standards of ethics and integrity.
• Ability to evaluate responses through a law‑enforcement lens.