To our Community:
It is my honor to issue this message as Chief of Police for the City of Lynnwood. I have had the great fortune of being a member of the Lynnwood Police Department since 1993, when I was hired at the age of 24 as a Patrol Officer. I have watched Lynnwood change and grow during that time and consider myself very lucky to work in such a vibrant and engaged community.
I have served as a deputy chief for the past four years working for the now retired Chief Tom Davis. Chief Davis worked tirelessly to enhance our police department’s community connections and outreach, and it is my intention to continue these meaningful efforts. I firmly believe that for those who work, live, and play in Lynnwood – this is your police department, and one of my main objectives is to continue to find meaningful ways for our department employees to engage and collaborate with you - our community. I am committed to identifying and finding solutions to communication gaps and other barriers in order to achieve our goal of being a safe and welcoming Lynnwood community for all.
It is my belief that being a community-focused police department also means keeping our community members, businesses and visitors safe from anyone who wishes to do harm. I expect all members of the Lynnwood Police Department to always strive to provide excellent customer service and proactively ensure a safe environment for all members of our community. It is my expectation that we will be vigilant in our public safety duties and serve with compassion and empathy.
I am also committed to providing a positive and supportive work environment for the members of the Lynnwood Police Department. I will continue to emphasize servant leadership, with the goal of putting our officers in the best position to serve you. I intend to increase our focus on officer wellness and mindfulness, with an emphasis on the mental and physical health for all our employees. These efforts will allow us to do our best work for our Lynnwood community.
I welcome you to learn more about your Lynnwood Police Department as you browse through the pages of this website. Our 2019-2023 Strategic Plan and our 2020 Annual Report are both linked in the “About Us” section of the website. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the most current and up-to-date information about your police department.
Sincerely,
Chief James Nelson