Sergeant Eric Tung plays a pivotal role in the success of the Kent Police Department. In addition to leading shifts of officers in Patrol, he became a team leader for the regional Civil Disturbance Unit and his agency’s Peer Support and Wellness Teams. After several years, he worked in the Neighborhood Response Team, focused on building public safety and police relations through collaboration with community stakeholders. 

As the Peer Support Team coordinator, Sergeant Tung developed frequent communication and critical incident debriefs for stressful and traumatic situations faced by his fellow officers. In addition, he crafted and fostered training and sent out regular emails focused on the pillars of wellness with tips, workouts, podcasts, and articles. He has become a resource for other police agencies to facilitate stress debriefs and help build their peer support and wellness programs. As a fitness coach for Kent Police, he started a health and wellness blog and social media to support healthful practices through mentoring first responders and civilians. 

Recognizing the critical staffing crises facing law enforcement in his region, Sergeant Tung revamped the Kent Police Department’s Recruiting and Hiring Unit. Drawing on his experience in community relations, he focused on the concept that recruiting and outreach were the same challenge and opportunity.    By doing so, he has developed a recruiting process that focuses on engagement, transparency, and building relationships through mentorship.  It has seen dramatic success in the first several months of implementation in contrast to regional trends. 

“I maintain the theme that every conversation, every meeting, every email… is an opportunity to lead.”