Episode 16 Chief of Police Meridian Police Department Tracy Basterrechea

Years of Service: 1996-Present
Tracy began his law enforcement career in 1996 with the Meridian Police Department. Tracy started on patrol with the Meridian Police Department when there were 20 officers and the population of the City of Meridian was about 20,600. As Tracy rose through the ranks of the Meridian Police Department he worked as a Drug Recognition Expert on patrol and was then promoted to detective in the narcotics unit and was deputized by the Drug Enforcement Administration where he was assigned to the DEA Task Force. As a narcotics detective, Tracy worked on high-level drug trafficking organizations and often worked undercover. Once back on patrol, Tracy began to gather expertise in use of force and control techniques that are used today in his department. Tracy was quickly promoted from officer to sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and assistant chief. In 2021, Tracy was promoted to Chief of Police for the Meridian Police Department which currently consists of 143 officers, as well as 43 support staff who serve over 129,700 citizens. Tracy is best described as a “cop’s cop” and in this interview discusses his career and leadership philosophy guiding his department along with his command staff and mentoring younger officers.
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