Command Staff
Robert Almada, Interim Chief
Interim Chief Robert Almada joined the Lacey Police Department in October of 2019 as the Deputy Chief of Police. He was appointed as the Interim Chief of Police on May 1, 2020. He began his career in law enforcement with the Santa Monica Police Department over 29 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.
Interim 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. Interim Chief Almada is a graduate of the inaugural class of the Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) presented by the California Police Chiefs Association. He 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).
In his spare time, Interim Chief Almada enjoys hiking and photographing the wildlife and landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
Contact Interim Chief Robert Almada
Mail: Lacey Police Department
ATTN: Interim Chief Almada
420 College St SE
Lacey, WA 98503-1238
Phone: 360.459.4333
Email: ralmada@ci.lacey.wa.us