Goss comes back from retirement to resume duties as Tulalip Tribal Police chief

TULALIP — Two years after retiring from the post, Jay Goss is expected to resume his duties as Tulalip Tribal Police chief starting Sept. 1.

Goss' original tenure as chief of the Tulalip Tribal Police Department lasted from 2001-2007, and Tulalip Tribes Chair Mel Sheldon reported that Goss, who "left our department under really good terms," signed a three-year contract with the Tribal government after they'd called him.

Prior to signing on with Tulalip in 2001, Goss' career included 20 years as a federal agent for the Department of the Interior, as well as stints as a police academy instructor for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, a detective for the Mercer Island Police Department, a military police officer for the U.S. Army, a police captain for the Quinault Tribe and a police chief for the Colville Tribe. During his time as the police chief for the Tulalip Tribes, he saw their police department grow from eight to 25 officers, and created an Explorer Scout program for young people interested in law enforcement.

Goss also worked with state Rep. John McCoy to pass legislation requiring tribal police officers to be state certified, and requiring tribes to obtain liability insurance and waive sovereign nation immunity if their police departments are sued or their officers are accused of misconduct. Scott Smith, the Tulalip Tribal Police chief from early in 2008 until he stepped down from his post July 10 of this year, worked with Snohomish County Sheriff John Lovick to ensure that Tulalip Tribal Police officers met all of the same qualifications required for Snohomish County Sheriff's deputies.

For the July 16 story from The Marysville Globe about Smith's resignation, click here.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.