Tacoma Daily Local Headlines: New Police Chief, Overnight Shooting, and City Manager Finalists
Tacoma, WA – February 27, 2026 – New police chief sworn in, a home riddled by 50+ shots, and City Hall’s city manager search heads to the Dome.
Local headlines to know
1) Tacoma swears in a new permanent police chief
Patti Jackson was sworn in Thursday as Tacoma’s first permanent female police chief. In remarks at police headquarters, she emphasized service, accountability, and protecting the community while supporting officers doing day-to-day work.
City leaders highlighted recent progress on hiring, with the department reporting vacancies down to single digits and a goal of reaching full staffing this spring. Jackson said she plans to build on targeted enforcement efforts already underway, while also pursuing outside funding to upgrade technology and strengthen recruitment.
2) Home hit by more than 50 gunshots; one person hurt
A South Tacoma family said gunfire erupted into their home early Tuesday morning while people inside were asleep, leaving a woman with a leg injury. Investigators reported recovering more than 50 shell casings at the scene.
Police have not announced arrests, and the shooting was described by the family as potentially random. Officers are continuing to review available video and other evidence as the investigation develops.
3) City manager finalists meet the public at the Tacoma Dome
Tacoma’s search for its next city manager moved forward with finalist interviews and a community event on Thursday afternoon. The public forum format gave residents a chance to hear each candidate’s priorities and share feedback for City Council review.
The city manager oversees day-to-day operations across major departments, including public safety, utilities, and transportation, making this one of Tacoma’s most consequential hires of the year.
4) Port of Tacoma: new rapid-response boat and strategic plan update
Port commissioners approved the purchase of a new rapid-response boat and received an update on progress toward the Port’s strategic plan. The Port also announced details for public comment and the next commission meeting in March.
What to watch next
Expect more updates on the city manager selection timeline and any developments tied to the ongoing shooting investigation, alongside department staffing and public-safety priorities heading into March.
Sources
- https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/patti-jackson-first-woman-tacoma-police-chief.amp
- https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/more-50-shots-fired-tacoma-042630759.html
- https://tacoma.gov/event/city-council-special-meeting-city-manager-candidate-interviews/2026-02-26/1/
- https://tacoma.gov/event/city-manager-recruitment-community-event/
- https://www.portoftacoma.com/news/commission-meeting-recap-february-18-2026
