Captain Steve Paulsen
Captain Joe Kessler
There are two changes of command at the West and Southwest Precincts effective October 1st, 2010. Captain Steve Paulsen will take over the Southwest Precinct and Captain Joe Kessler will command the West Precinct.
Captain Steven Paulsen began his career with the Seattle Police Department in 1985. He has worked in all precincts as a police officer. In 1990, he was named “North Precinct Officer of the Year”. He also served as a detective in the Narcotics Section prior to being promoted to sergeant in 1991. As sergeant, he served at the South Precinct Patrol and Anti-Crime Team as well as in Traffic. In 1994, Captain Paulsen was recruited to assist in the formation of the Special Deployment Unit (now Homeland Security).
In 1996, Captain Paulsen was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant where he had the pleasure of serving the West and North Precincts, a second tour in the Special Deployment Unit, Parking Enforcement Unit, Motorcycle Unit and the Southwest Precinct.
Captain Paulsen was born and raised in Seattle and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Seattle Pacific University. Captain Paulsen has also completed several advanced studies inleadership/management during his career with the Seattle Police Department.
Captain Kessler began his career with the Seattle Police Department in 1981. He worked in all patrol precincts as an officer and in Inspections and Planning and as an instructor in the Advanced Training Unit. Following his promotion to sergeant in February of 1989 he was assigned as the supervisor of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Academy and subsequently served as a patrol sergeant in the East Precinct in addition to serving as the ACT Team supervisor and the Community Police Team supervisor in the West Precinct. As a lieutenant he served in the East Precinct as a Watch Commander and as the Operations Lieutenant and as a Commander in Vice and Narcotics.
Captain Kessler served as the commander of the Southwest Precinct from 2008 to 2010 in addition to serving as the commander of the Deployment Unit, Traffic Section and the Metropolitan Section. He began his assignment as the Commander of the West Precinct in October of 2010. He was born and raised in Seattle and graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Society and Justice. He is also a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Policing at Boston University and the West Point Leadership Program.