Tumwater’s mayor-elect tells police chief his last day will be Jan. 2
Tumwater Police Chief Jay Mason said in an official post on social media Dec. 15 that Mayor-elect Leatta Dahlhoff informed him that his last day with the city will be Jan. 2.
In the official TPD post, Mason said the chief of police serves the mayor as an at-will employee, and she has the authority to make such decisions.
“I believe that a new mayor should have the opportunity to build a leadership team that aligns with their vision for the city,” he said.
Mason said Deputy Chief Carlos Quiles will be leading the department moving forward. Mason said he has complete confidence in Quiles’ leadership and judgment, and his ability to guide the department.
“I have asked TPD to give their full support to DC Quiles, as well as the mayor elect and her team. I hope you will do so, as well,” he said.
Mason said serving as a police officer with TPD has been one of the greatest honors of his life, second to his faith and his family.
“While the roles of police officer and police chief can at times feel solitary, I have never felt alone here,” Mason said. “The support, trust, and sense of community in Tumwater have always been present, and I cannot adequately express my appreciation for that.”
Mayor-elect responds
Leatta Dahlhoff told The Olympian via text message Monday night that Chief Mason requested a separation for 2026. She said why he asked for a separation is between him and the Police Guild.
In an email to The Olympian Monday evening, Dahlhoff said that every decision she’s made on the Planning Commission and the City Council since 2014 has been grounded in one question: “How do we best serve Tumwater today and into the future?”
Dahlhoff said leadership transitions, particularly in public safety, are never easy, but they can invite reflection on what is and is not working.
“It is no secret that policing, both locally and nationally, is at an inflection point,” she said. “Doing things ‘the way we always have’ is not the same as doing them well, and stagnation — whether in practices, culture, or outcomes — does not serve our officers or our community.”
She said with any new administration comes the responsibility to ensure alignment, accountability and forward momentum.
“This decision was made thoughtfully, with the future of Tumwater in mind — not as a reflection of personal animus, but as a recognition that our city deserves continuous improvement in how we lead, how we serve, and how we build trust,” Dahlhoff said.
She said the city deserves a police department that evolves alongside its community and leads with transparency, and “that understands public safety as partnership, not posture.”
Editor’s note: This article has been updated with comments from the mayor-elect.
This story was originally published December 15, 2025 at 3:28 PM.
.jpg)