Lacey police report 80 applicants, four conditional offers; chief outlines grant bid to fund officers and records staff

Chief Almeida told the Lacey Civil Service Commission on Aug. 4, 2025, that the police department received 80 applications in the latest quarter and has issued four conditional offers as it works to fill openings created by retirements.

The report matters because department staffing, public-records workloads and rising indigent defense costs are driving the request for outside funding that could add sworn positions and a records specialist to handle growing body‑worn camera workloads.

"During the past quarter, we had 80 applications, of which 78 were entry level applications, 2 were lateral applications," Chief Almeida said. He told commissioners that 13 applicants made an eligibility list, nine advanced to chief interviews and four received conditional offers; three are completing background checks and one withdrew from backgrounds. He also said retirements, including that of Mike Albers, created two openings.

Almeida said the department is…