Command Staff
Robert Almada, Chief of Police
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.
Contact Chief Robert Almada
Mail: Lacey Police Department
ATTN: Chief Almada
420 College St SE
Lacey, WA 98503-1238
Phone: 360.459.4333
Email: ralmada@ci.lacey.wa.us