Police

Robert Almada, Chief of Police

Mail: Lacey Police Department
ATTN: Chief Almada
420 College St SE
Lacey, WA 98503-1238

360.459.4333

policechief@cityoflacey.org

Chief Robert Almada was sworn into office on July 1, 2021 after serving as the Interim Chief of Police since May 1, 2020. Chief Almada began his service with the Lacey Police Department in October of 2019 as the Deputy Chief of Police. He began his career in law enforcement with the Santa Monica Police Department over 30 years ago, starting as a Police Cadet in 1990. He became a Police Officer in 1991 and worked assignments in patrol and specialized crime suppression units. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1996 and worked a variety of patrol, investigative, and administrative assignments of increasing responsibility. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2012 and served as a watch commander and the executive officer of the administrative services division.

In 2013, then Lieutenant Almada was selected to lead the Santa Monica Office of Emergency Management (OEM) as the Emergency Services Manager. In this capacity, he expanded and continued to build out emergency preparedness efforts to ensure continuity of government and community stability. During his tenure, he also developed and implemented the new Public Safety Communications Center (PSC) to handle 911 calls and dispatch services for the Police and Fire Departments.

Then Lieutenant Almada returned to his regular duties at the Santa Monica Police Department in 2016, serving as the Audit and Inspection Manager, Special Events Manager, and Community Affairs Manager, and as a patrol watch commander. He was promoted to Captain in 2017 and served as the Operations Commander. He completed his service with Santa Monica Police Department in 2019 and joined the Lacey Police Department.

Chief Almada received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, as well as a post graduate certificate in Leadership. Chief Almada is a graduate of the inaugural class of the Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) presented by the California Police Chiefs Association. Chief Almada is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute and was an instructor of Ethics and Leadership with the City’s Santa Monica Institute (SMi).

Chief Almada belongs to several professional organizations including Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). He serves on a variety of boards and commissions including Thurston County Communications (TCOMM) Executive Board, the Thurston County Treatment Sales Tax (TST) Advisory Commission, the national Round Table on Racial Equity for Advancing Pretrial Policy & Research (APPR), and the APPR Policy Board for Thurston County.

Robert Hollis, Deputy Chief of Police

Mail: Lacey Police Department
ATTN: Deputy Chief Hollis
420 College St SE
Lacey, WA 98503-1238

360.459.4333

policechief@cityoflacey.org

Deputy Chief Bobby Hollis joined the Lacey Police Department in December 2021. Deputy Chief Hollis started working at the Des Moines Police Department in 2001 before joining the Kent Police Department in 2006. He started as a Police Officer and worked his way to Commander before coming to Lacey.

In his career, Deputy Chief Hollis has worked as the Race and Equity Commander and a Patrol Commander. He has overseen units such as Traffic, K-9, and SRO. He has overseen Emergency Management, IT (Information Technology) projects, and been the liaison to Valley Communications (dispatch). Deputy Chief Hollis has experience working as a PIO (Public Information Officer), SWAT Officer, Recruiting and Hiring, and as a Collision Investigator.

Deputy Chief Hollis has his Executive Master’s degree in Public Administration (EMPA) and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, both from the University of Washington.

Joe Upton, Investigative Division
Commander

Mail: Lacey Police Department
ATTN: Commander Upton
420 College St SE
Lacey, WA 98503-1238

360.459.4333

laceypolice@cityoflacey.org

Commander Joe Upton began his law enforcement career with the Lacey Police Department in 1992. In the 27 years since then, he has held the positions of Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Administrative Sergeant, and Patrol Commander. Commander Upton currently serves as the Administrative Commander which encompasses Evidence, Training and Personnel, and the Records Division. Commander Upton assists with LEMAP studies on a statewide level and is the vice-chair of the WASPC accreditation committee. Commander Upton has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Pacific Lutheran University and is a graduate of the Northwest Law Enforcement Command College and the FBI National Academy.

Investigative Division

Detectives

Community Resource Unit

Evidence Unit

School Resource Officers

Explorers

Accreditation

Shannon Barnes, Administrative Division
Lieutenant

Mail: Lacey Police Department
ATTN: Lieutenant Barnes
420 College St SE
Lacey, WA 98503-1238

360.459.4333

laceypolice@cityoflacey.org

Lieutenant Shannon Barnes began her career in law enforcement as a Dispatcher and a Reserve Police Officer. She was hired by the Lacey Police Department in 1995 as a Patrol Officer and has served the City of Lacey her entire career.

Throughout her career, Lieutenant Barnes has overseen the Training Unit, School, Resource Officer program, Lacey Resource Unit, Explorers, and the Investigations Unit. As an investigations supervisor, Lieutenant Barnes led the Capital Metro Independent Investigations Team and served as the Department’s Public Information Officer.

Lieutenant Barnes has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in Human Resources.

Joe Waldon, Operations Division
Lieutenant

Mail: Lacey Police Department
ATTN: Lieutenant Waldon
420 College St SE
Lacey, WA 98503-1238

360.459.4333

laceypolice@cityoflacey.org

Lieutenant Joe Waldon joined the Lacey Police Department in July, 2012.  He began his career in 2001 with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office before eventually joining the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office and then the Wenatchee Police Department.

Lieutenant Waldon is assigned to the Department’s Operations Division and oversees one of the Department’s two Patrol teams.  During his career, Lieutenant Waldon has worked as Personnel and Training Sergeant, Internal Affairs Sergeant, and Operations Sergeant.  He was an Assistant Team Leader with the Thurston County Regional SWAT Team, and has over 13 years’ experience as a SWAT officer.  Lieutenant Waldon has experience as a Pro-Ac/gang investigator, Field Training Officer, and School Resource Officer.

Lieutenant Waldon has his Master’s degree in Management and Leadership (MSML) and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, both from Western Governor’s University.

Jaime Newcomb, Operations Division
Lieutenant

Mail: Lacey Police Department
ATTN: Lieutenant Newcomb
420 College St SE
Lacey, WA 98503-1238

360.459.4333

laceypolice@cityoflacey.org

Lieutenant Jaime Newcomb was hired by the Lacey Police Department in 2004.  During his 20-year career, Lieutenant Newcomb has served in various roles, including Department Instructor, Field Training Officer, Detective, Patrol Sergeant and Detective Sergeant.  Lieutenant Newcomb is currently assigned to the Operations Division.

Lieutenant Newcomb holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Washington State University.  In addition, he is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session #274 and currently serves on the Executive Board of the Washington NAA Chapter.