BURIEN, Wash. — The City of Burien selected interim Police Chief Tom Calabrese to serve in the role permanently.
Calabrese was named interim chief Wednesday after former chief Ted Boe resigned in June following months of turmoil between the city and the King County Sheriff’s Office over enforcement of Burien’s camping ban.
Calabrese has been a captain with Burien police, which contracts with the sheriff’s office for police services, since April 2023. He previously spent 16 years serving with the sheriff’s office covering District 4, which includes Burien and White Center.
“It has always been home to me and when this opportunity presented itself, I couldn’t say no,” Calabrese said. “I also came back because I hope and want to have an impact on the current generation of officers that are working in Burien. I would want the community to know that I truly care for Burien and want to see it flourish.”
Calabrese also served with the Sound Transit Division, where he was named a patrol sergeant in 2016 and captain in 2021.
Boe resigned two months after Burien City Manager Adofo Bailon asked King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall to replace Boe as chief. Bailon said he couldn’t trust Boe to fulfill the requirements of the interlocal agreement between Burien and the sheriff’s office.
Earlier this year, the sheriff’s office filed a legal complaint over the constitutionality of the city’s camping ban, claiming it essentially criminalizes homelessness. The city then sued the sheriff’s office for not enforcing the ordinance.
Boe accepted a position as Des Moines police chief.
