Lynnwood’s new police chief promotes community

LYNNWOOD — Matthew Parsons is a name he won’t forget.

The 12-year-old was beaten into a coma by his father’s girlfriend in 1991. Lynnwood Police Chief Tom Davis, 50, was one of the Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies called to the house. He rode in the ambulance and followed the boy into surgery. At the time, Davis was the father of an infant son. He realized the power parents hold.

Matthew never woke up. A park in Everett bears his name.

“I’ve seen the worst in people and I’ve seen the best, and I think that sums up law enforcement,” Davis said.

Davis was appointed as the new police chief in Lynnwood earlier this month, after serving in an interim role since August. He oversees 70 officers and 38 support staff. After a law enforcement career of nearly 30 years, Davis has started pondering what he’ll leave behind.

“This will likely be my last stop,” he said.

Davis knew early on he wanted to be a cop. He was hired at the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office as a cadet two months after his 21st birthday. Every Friday, he rode along on a patrol shift.

He went on to work for about 28 years at the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, where he rose in the ranks, serving as undersheriff and as police chief in Stanwood, which contracts with the sheriff’s office. He left the sheriff’s office for the position in Lynnwood.

Davis said he views the job differently now than he did as a young officer. Early on, he focused on the skills and tactics he learned in the police academy. He later found himself in leadership.

Now he tells his staff: Take time to chat with people walking through the park. Go play basketball with a kid.

Relationships between police and the public are often turbulent.

“That’s not Lynnwood,” Davis said. “I want to develop our own narrative.”

The emergence of social media, especially cellphone video, has been a reminder that law enforcement is always in public view, he said.

“It doesn’t mean we won’t make mistakes,” but police need to hold themselves accountable, Davis said.

Due to the nature of the job, officers more often come across good people during their worst chapters, he said. He encourages officers to check in with those they meet while on duty or at the grocery store, to remind others they’re part of the community.

In August 1994, Davis lost a fellow officer and friend. Sheriff’s Sgt. Jim Kinard was shot by a gunman who had also claimed the life of a blind man from Arlington. Roughly 3,000 people came together for Kinard’s memorial in Everett to say goodbye.

Kinard was someone who shaped Davis’ career, the new police chief said.

During his time in Lynnwood, Davis has made an effort to help those who historically have been marginalized.

In February, officers attended prayer service at the Evergreen Islamic Institute in Lynnwood. Davis spoke of the parallels between Muslims and cops. Both are often misunderstood, he said.

Davis stands taller than most but has a way of putting people at ease. The mosque filled with laughter several times during his visit.

More recently, Lynnwood officers met with Latino families. The police department doesn’t enforce federal immigration laws, which can be a misconception. Children couldn’t focus on their schoolwork because they thought their parents were going to be taken away, Davis said. He hoped to ease their worries.

“He is the right chief at the right time for the city of Lynnwood,” Mayor Nicola Smith said.

Caitlin Tompkins: 425-339-3192; ctompkins@heraldnet.com.