Port Angeles Police Department
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Message from
Chief Terry K. Gallagher

 

City of Port Angeles Police Department logo

It is my privilege to welcome you to this web page for the Port Angeles Police Department. (PAPD).

It is my privilege to welcome you to the web site of the Port Angeles Police Department. Hopefully, as you tour this site, you will learn more about our wonderful community and come to appreciate the outstanding men and women of this Department, all of whom work daily to provide the highest possible level of law enforcement services to the citizens of Port Angeles.

We know that times have changed and that some past business practices are not sustainable. People that know ideas are what count staff successful organizations; those ideas can come from any level of an organization. We know the importance of hiring good people with a special enthusiasm for public safety – because we also know that passionate people get things done. We recognize the substantial investment this community has made in our department. We know how fortunate we are to be a part of this community. Our commitment is to return to our citizens a product of value, delivered by men and women of integrity, to a community where fear of crime is non-existent. Please let us know your thoughts on our work. And again, on behalf of all PAPD staff, thank you for your support.

The Port Angeles Police Department recognizes that the key word in our mission statement is partnership. Our ability to serve the community is absolutely dependent upon our success in fostering citizen involvement in public safety. To that end we make every effort to communicate effectively with our citizens, to listen to their concerns and respond effectively, and, as a learning organization, to engage in a constant analytical process meant to measure our success at addressing those concerns. The Public Safety Advisory Board is one example of our commitment to citizen involvement. The board is comprised of interested citizen volunteers and serves in an advisory capacity to both the Police and Fire Chiefs as new programs are explored or existing programs are evaluated.

Citizen involvement in the law enforcement mission is not limited, however, to that particular board. PAPD also has a dedicated group of citizen volunteers who donate their time and accumulated wisdom to improving the Department's ability to serve our community. Our volunteers deploy our traffic radar trailer daily throughout the community, they process pawn tickets, accomplish a variety of clerical duties, and assist at virtually all community events requiring traffic control or other law enforcement services. They are even out at night on “Citizen Patrol” where they conduct regular checks of area schools and parks facilities. These dedicated folks contribute approximately 6,000 hours per year to the Department and the community.

The men and women of the Port Angeles Police Department recognize our role as the most visible branch of municipal government. We take very seriously our mandate to perform professionally in our role as community leaders; we know that this responsibility extends to our private lives as well. We welcome public scrutiny of our efforts and recognize that accountability is a critical component of any branch of government, but especially critical to law enforcement. We want you to know what we do, we want to do it well, and we need to hear from you for that to occur.

PORT ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PROMISES MADE - PROMISES KEPT

Promise to uphold my Oath of Office and the laws of Washington, the United States,
the policies of the Port Angeles Police Department and our Mission at all times.
I further promise to remember every day that I chose this career calling
because I believed then – as I believe now – that I can truly make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Promises
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Proud to be a police officerDo you possess at least two years of college education? Are you interested in public service and a person of outstanding character? If so I urge you to consider a career in law enforcement. PAPD utilizes PublicSafetyTesting.com to administer the required entry level written and physical tests to those interested in serving as a commissioned officer or emergency services dispatcher. You can visit their web site to learn more about our department, career opportunities, and the community of Port Angeles. Testing for other positions in the department (such as Records Specialist) are administered by the City of Port Angeles Human Resources Department. Contact them at 360-417-4910 and ask for an application.

PAPD is an outstanding organization privileged to serve a community unique in its quality of life and beautiful location at the foot of the Olympic Mountains and along the shores of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. I encourage you as a citizen to contact the Department's Community Services liaison at 360-417-4925 to learn more about how you can contribute to public safety and the quality of life in our community.

As a citizen, you are the key to our success. We want to hear from you whether that be in the form of a constructive comment, a question, or a concern. On behalf of the Port Angeles Police Department, I wish you and your family the best and give you our promise to provide you with the highest level of law enforcement services possible as we continue in our mission of service to the community.

Sincerely,

Terry K. Gallagher
Chief of Police