Chief of Police Dale Tamsen
Dale Tamsen was appointed Chief of Police of the Taylor Police Department on March 2006 by then Mayor Cameron G. Priebe. Chief Tamsen leads one of the largest police department Downriver with 88 sworn officers.
Tamsen has 28 years of law enforcement experience that he brings to the department.
Tamsen started his police career in 1981 with the Phoenix (Arizona) Police Department, where he worked until April of 1986.
In February 1987, Tamsen joined the Taylor Police force and was quickly promoted through the ranks. He was promoted to sergeant in June 1998, where he supervised the Special Operations Bureau; patrol lieutenant in June 2000; and administrative commander in June 2005.
He was appointed Deputy Chief of Police in December of 2005.
An strong advocate of community policing, a majority of Tamsen’s career was spent with the Special Operations Bureau where he targeted crime fighting and prevention in the city’s multi-housing complexes leading to national recognition for the project’s efforts.
Tamsen believes in customized law enforcement which requires a community policing strategy, neighborhood-based partnerships and problem solving, and crime prevention efforts
Since his appointment, Chief Tamsen has been instrumental in reorganizing the police department, including reinstituting the Special Operations Bureau, after it has been disbanded for several years. He has also sought out more specialized training for individual divisions. Chief Tamsen has also actively encouraged officers to search for grant opportunities for help the department during financially challenging times.
Chief Tamsen holds a bachelor's degrees in criminal justice from Wayne State University. He is also a 2000 graduate of Northwestern University School of Police Staff & Command, a prestigious police executive school.
He has been the recipient of numerous commendations, including being named Taylor Police Department Officer of the Year in 1991 and 1999.
Chief Tamsen can be reached by email at dtamsen@ci.taylor.mi.us