Avery Moore listens to LHHS students Priscilla Rangel and Barbara Raygoza

Dallas Assistant Police Chief Avery Moore has been appointed the new chief of the Tacoma Police Department. Moore was confirmed by the Tacoma City Council in December, and his mates at the DPD are hosting a sendoff for him Thursday.

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Moore, who formerly led the northeast division in Lake Highlands, was on the shortlist of candidates for Dallas chief in 2020. He created the city’s school resource officer (SRO) program and frequently worked with youth in our neighborhood to build bonds of trust between law enforcement and the community.

“Let’s use the word respect,” Moore said at a 2018 youth summit with LHHS students. “Not only should you respect authority, but police officers have to respect people, whether you are a small child, elderly, teenager – it doesn’t matter. It starts with respect.”

In his first 30 days, Moore plans to “listen, learn and lead,” he told Tacoma’s NBC affiliate.

“You will never get rid of crime if you completely rely on the police department. Crime is everybody’s business,” Moore said. “It’s going to take involvement from everybody – local government, citizens and police department. We’re all going to work together on this plan.”

Avery Moore at a National Night Out in Lake Highlands

Robb Stewart, Avery Moore, former DPD police chief Renee Hall, Kathy Stewart

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  • Carol Toler

    Blogger CAROL TOLER and her husband, Toby, are the parents of four LHHS graduates. She has an MBA from SMU and is the proud recipient of the Exchange Club of LH's Unsung Hero Award and Councilman McGough's Blake Anderson Public Service Award. She received LHHS PTA's Extended Service Award, FMJH PTA's Charger Award and a Life Membership from the LHFC PTA. She has moderated candidate debates for Dallas Mayor, Dallas City Council and RISD Trustee races and taught seminars on garnering publicity for nonprofits. She completed training with Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation and Inside RISD, and she's a sustaining member of LH Women's League. She has served on the boards of After8 to Educate, Dallas Free Press, Healing Hands Ministries and Camp Sweeney and chaired fundraisers for multiple Dallas nonprofits. Email ctoler@advocatemag.com.