The Seattle Police Department is honored to announce that Assistant Chief Perry Tarrant was sworn in as the next president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).
“All of us at SPD are extremely proud of Chief Perry Tarrant. This is the most difficult time in policing, and leadership, especially now, is critical,” said Chief Kathleen O’Toole. “For over three decades NOBLE has been at the leading edge of law enforcement with its commitment to justice and reform. I look forward to working with Chief Tarrant as he continues this legacy.”
“Given the recent events around the nation, race and policing are at a pivotal point in our nation’s history,” stated Gregory A. Thomas, outgoing NOBLE National President. Thomas continues, “I’ve been working with Assistant Chief Tarrant for the past year in his role as NOBLE’s First National Vice President and I am confident he’s fully prepared to carry the baton. He comes with a wealth of experience, is knowledgeable and certainly capable of taking NOBLE into the next era of policing. I look forward to working with him as president.”
Prior to joining the Seattle Police Department in 2015, Chief Tarrant spent 34 years with the Tucson Police Department. He began his career working patrol, and held assignments in canine, SWAT, bomb squad, aviation, and internal affairs. In 2014, Tarrant was appointed to coordinate the City of Yakima’s Gang Free Initiative’s prevention and intervention programs and to act as the city’s Emergency Preparedness Director.
Tarrant has a Master’s from Northern Arizona University (NAU), a Certificate of Graduate Study in Criminal Justice from the University of Virginia, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Arizona. He holds additional certificates from the FBI National Academy, Senior Management Institute for Police, NOBLE Law Enforcement CEO, and is a FEMA certified Incident Commander/Instructor. Tarrant most recently served as the Vice President of NOBLE.
