Ryan G. Warner

Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Entry Officer:

I've been a member of the Tacoma Police SWAT entry team since June 2021. I deployed to in-progress incident as well as pre-planned operations to include, but not limited to, barricaded suspects, high-risk warrant service, downed officer, and riot response. I maintained a very high and challenging level of proficiency in all of my individual weapons as well as team equipment and tools. I responded expeditiously to call-outs with all mission essential equipment, no matter the time of day. I completed pre-deployment scouts/reconnaissance of target areas and deployed as part of an arrest team.

In addition to full-team call-outs, I was often requested to assist our plain-clothes Special Investigations Officers in locating and apprehending suspects wanted on unlawful delivery of controlled substance charges. In the course of these operations, I utilized vehicle take-down techniques and deployed from unmarked vehicles.

Police Patrol Officer

I began patrol duties in August 2019 after completing the Washington Basic Law Enforcement Academy and field training with the Tacoma Police Department. Tacoma is home to over 220,000 citizens and has a prominent gang, drug, and violence history.

I responded to frequent armed robberies, drive-by shootings, assaults, and other violent in-progress criminal incidents as well as lower priority investigations. I responded as the first Officer on scene and identified suspects, victims, and delegated duties to arriving Officers. I identified and secured crime scenes and evidence, and completed formal investigative reports. I've investigated numerous homicides during record-breaking years in the city and briefed Detectives at the scene to enable their investigations.

I've arrested and interrogated numerous suspects related to narcotics investigations. I've drafted and executed several search warrants that led to seizures of weapons, drugs, currency, and charges filed.

Community Liaison Officer

I worked as a Community Liaison Officer (CLO) in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood since February of 2023. My duties were to identify specific locations within my sector where criminal activity was surpassing patrol capabilities and presence. To do this I worked closely with my community partners in order to develop strategies that could be used to suppress and eliminate criminal and nuisance activity. I regularly led community meetings to inform citizens on our progress and to address new concerns they had. In addition to being a liaison between Tacoma citizens and the department, I continued my uniformed patrol duties while in this position.

I served as an enlisted member of 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment from 2014 to 2019. This Regiment is the US Army's premier light infantry unit in the Special Operations Command. I was assigned as rifleman, grenadier, machine-gunner, and anti-tank gunner. I promoted to Sergeant after completing the Army's Ranger School, and promoted to fire-team leader. As team leader, I gained knowledge and experience in mission planning and briefing. I was responsible for training and leading into combat 3-5 subordinate Rangers. I deployed in Support of the Global War on Terror

I developed specialized skills in direct-action combat operations, sensitive site exploitation, explosive breaching, night operations, land navigation, Ranger first-responder, and broadened my skills in small-unit tactics. In 2016 I was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for my duties as Team Leader. I earned the Expert Infantry Badge (EIB) and Combat Infantryman's Badge (CIB), and maintained "expert" in all weapons platforms. At all times I maintained the Ranger physical fitness standards.

I enlisted in the regular army with an 18x contract to become a Special Forces Soldier in June of 2012. I completed Airborne training then attended a Special Forces Preparation course where I learned advanced techniques in land navigation, Army Special Forces history, and fitness training. I completed many cross-country movements under the stress of a heavy pack and intense weather. I completed numerous team events that involved building apparatus to transport equipment and/or personnel and problem solving under stressful time constraints. I successfully completed this course and obtained a certificate.

I attended Special Forces Selection shortly after and completed all fitness requirements, land navigation, written tests, and all but one team event before being medically dropped due to a temporary, but serious, neck and nerve injury.

Following several months of recovery, I passed the Ranger physical fitness test with a perfect score and obtained orders to attend the Army's Ranger Assessment and Selection (RASP) program.

I enlisted in the Massachusetts Army National Guard at 17 years old and attended basic training during the Summer months before my High School Senior year. Upon completion, I attended drill weekends once a month until mobilizing for Afghanistan in July 2010. I deployed to Eastern Afghanistan and conducted mounted and dismounted patrols as a machine-gunner. Our mission was to reach out to villages that hadn't seen coalition forces and show American presence. We provided resources and protection to locals while developing relationships and gaining intelligence on enemy activity in the area.

My platoon and I were engaged and involved in small-arms battles as well as complex attack/ambush. 2010-2011 would turn out to be the deadliest year during this conflict. I was awarded the combat infantryman's badge among other commendations and awards following the 1-year deployment.

I reached the rank of Specialist and turned down the opportunity to promote to SGT in order to transfer to active-duty under a new contract to attend Special Forces training in Fort Bragg, NC.