Hello
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sgt. Eric Tung and I’ve been with Kent Police for almost 15 years. Through the years I worked as a patrol officer, K9 handler and patrol sergeant, so you may have seen me around at different times and in different roles.
This month I was chosen to represent KPD as the recruitment and hiring sergeant. One of my main roles will be to find and connect with the best candidates I can to help build our team and culture.
So why am I reaching out to the Kent community?
Well, as many of you know we at Kent PD are facing a staffing shortage much akin to everywhere in the region. It goes far beyond King County or Washington state. It is a national problem.
How can you help?
When I think about my time here in Kent, it becomes apparent that it takes everyone in the city to promote the well-being of this community. It takes everyone to do their work to help make these neighborhoods safe, livable, and to give them a chance to thrive. It takes people who maintain the roads and public facilities. It also takes engaged teachers. Mentors and leaders. It takes neighbors looking out for one another.
And yes, it takes cops. Not just cops, but good ones.
With that, I invite you to: consider being a partner in recruiting quality people for our city.
You all have sons, daughters, cousins, friends. You all know people of high character who may be looking for a change, or simply looking for true purpose. Maybe it’s you.
We are seeking police officer candidate referrals. Someone on my team and/or I will reach out to connect, chat, get coffee and answer questions. We can meet with community groups, clubs, congregations, teams… you name it. We want to talk about the job. Even when those talks do not result in a candidate, any discussion of policing is valuable because this is just as much about engagement and building partners in the community.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I’m proud to work for Kent, where people truly need all of us.
Sgt. Eric Tung
Instagram: @ourfuturecops
etung@kentwa.gov
Editor’s note: The City Council has approved funds for 165 officers for the Kent Police Department. The department has about 20 vacancies.
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