Administration
Chief Shawn Ledford
Chief Shawn Ledford, a Tulalip Tribal member, brings over 35 years of law enforcement experience to his role as Chief of Police. His career began in 1989 at the Federal Way Precinct, where he served as a patrol deputy. During his tenure, he excelled as a field training officer, master police officer, and negotiator on the Hostage Negotiations Team. His investigative skills led him to the Special Assault Unit and Major Crimes division.
In 1999, Shawn’s dedication earned him a promotion to sergeant at the Maple Valley Precinct. He then took on the role of Chief of Police for the City of Newcastle, where he served for five years. In 2006, he was promoted to captain and worked at the Southwest Precinct (Burien) before transferring to the North Precinct (Kenmore) as the operations captain. His leadership extended to contracting assignments and the Criminal Investigations Division.
Shawn’s commitment to community policing is unwavering. He emphasizes fair and objective treatment of all individuals, recognizing that many law enforcement challenges intersect with behavioral health issues, often exacerbated by substance abuse. In 2015, he completed training in the Department of Justice’s smart policing RADAR program, focusing on response awareness, de-escalation, and referral. This initiative aims to reduce use-of-force incidents and pairs mental health professionals with officers to connect those needing behavioral health services.
Chief Ledford has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in sociology and criminology from Western Washington University.
Responsibilities of the Chief of Police
The Chief of Police has jurisdiction within the exterior boundaries of the Tulalip Reservation along with the Usual and Accustomed areas and line command authority over sworn and civilian employees. The official duties of the Chief of Police are described in the Tulalip Tribal Code Title 2, Chapter 2.45 Police Department Section 2.45.020 Chief of Police.
In order to protect persons, property and the preservation of peace in the community, the Chief of Police directs, plans, and coordinates the enforcement of tribal, state and federal laws. During a law enforcement critical incident such as a civil disturbance on the Reservation, the Chief of Police assumes a leadership role in planning, coordinating, and directing all activities aimed at restoring peace on the Reservation or otherwise returning conditions to normal.
The Chief of Police confers with citizens, the Tulalip Citizens Advisory Review Board, Tribal Council, the state and national legislative bodies on law enforcement matters of importance to the Tulalip Tribes, as well as proposing new or amending existing laws which could have an impact on law enforcement in Indian Country. The Chief of Police meets with the Tulalip Citizens Advisory Review Board to keep commission members informed and to respond to citizens’ complaints or concerns.
The Chief of Police acts on all matters related to disciplinary issues and recommends awards for exemplary conduct of the department’s sworn and civilian employees. The Chief of Police also makes presentations to private citizens’ community groups, churches, schools, and businesses in the community to promote the goals and missions of the Police Department and to solicit their input. The Chief of Police provides strong leadership in delivering quality policing services fairly and equitably that enhances the quality of life for those that live, work, and visit the Tulalip Reservation.
Administrative Support Unit
The Administrative Support Unit is the first line of contact for citizens wishing to see or speak to the Chief or other members of the staff.
The Administrative Support Unit is led by the Office Manager with the support of an Administrative Assistant who provides office and liaison support for the Chief of Police and the department overall.
Some responsibilities include:
- Front Desk Reception and Customer Service
- Financial and Budget Management
- Property Inventory and Materials Control
- Personnel File Management
- Managing both Internal and External Communications
- Special Events Coordination
Open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and closed on holidays.
Phone number: 360‑716‑5904
Fax number: 360‑716‑5999
Address:6332 31st Ave NE, Suite ATulalip, WA 98271
Communications & Records Unit
The Communications & Records Unit is led by the Communications/Records Supervisor and supported by a team of Communication Officers who perform the duties of dispatch and police records management. The unit ensures that emergency/non-emergency calls for service are received and handled in the best interest of the Tulalip Tribal community.
Dispatch receives over 24,000 calls a year, and approximately 530 calls are from surrounding agencies. Tulalip Tribal Police handle many types of calls ranging from domestic violence, assaults, and motor vehicle accidents to animal control complaints. In the previous year, officers completed over 4,500 case reports.
Communication Officers’ duties include answering multiple phone lines, working with a computer-aided dispatch system, and operating a two-way radio to communicate to officers on the road. Additionally, Dispatcher/Records staff provides records management for warrants, court documents, and driving histories.
Hours of operation: 24/7
Emergency: 360‑716‑9911
Dispatch Non-Emergency: 360‑716‑4608
Please click the link to complete the Police Report Request Form
Professional Standards Unit
The Professional Standards Unit (PSU) was recently added in November of 2019 and is considered an extension of the Chief of Police. This unit helps the department meet and exceed the high expectations of professional conduct for the Tulalip Tribal Police Department.
The Professional Standards Unit is led by the Professional Standards Manager, who receives and investigates all allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing against the department or department employees. Without regard to the source, the Professional Standards Unit is charged to conduct a fair and neutral examination of all available information. Citizens are encouraged to contact the Office of the Chief if they wish to express satisfaction or disappointment concerning their interaction with a sworn or civilian employee of the department.
The Professional Standards Unit also conducts:
- Recruitment and Pre-Employment Background Investigations
- Policy and Procedure Maintenance and Development
- Internal Audit of Department Compliance with Policies
Please click on the link to submit a Citizen Feedback Form.
Open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and closed on holidays.
Phone: 360‑716‑5902
Training Unit
The Training Unit is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the department training function, including planning, performing, and scheduling training for all department personnel. The Training Unit is led by a Sergeant who works in collaboration with other Training Unit staff to accomplish the unit’s mission. The Training Unit will also act as a liaison with outside law enforcement entities and training vendors on local, state, and national levels to provide department-wide training.