City Manager Appoints New Mercer Island Police Chief

Michelle Bennett, a law enforcement professional who has led multiple police departments during a distinguished three-decade career, has been appointed by Mercer Island City Manager Jessi Bon to serve as the next police chief of the Mercer Island Police Department. She brings extensive experience in modern policing practices, a strong commitment to community-oriented policing, and a collaborative leadership style that aligns with the City’s values and expectations.

Bennett moves into the permanent role after serving as interim police chief since July of 2025. She leads a department of 32 commissioned officers and five support staff.

According to Bon, Bennett has provided steady and trusted leadership through a period of operational transition, including leading the department while it continues to function without a permanent police facility. Bon also noted that Bennett has maintained high levels of service, strengthened morale among sworn and support staff, and reinforced the department’s culture of professionalism and accountability.

“Chief Bennett is highly regarded for her successful tenures as chief of several municipal police departments in the region, acquiring extensive and invaluable experience in the process,” Bon said. “Her proven ability to lead the department effectively, coupled with the confidence she has earned from officers, staff, City leadership, and the community, make her exceptionally well-qualified to serve as Mercer Island’s permanent police chief.”

Bennett stated that stepping into the role was a welcome endeavor.

“I’m excited to work alongside an outstanding team of city professionals, dedicated police staff, and a supportive community. We have all the right people in place, and together we’ll continue aligning the department with today’s landscape through innovation and strong partnerships.”

Bennett began her law enforcement career with the King County Sheriff’s Office in 1990, holding a variety of positions during a 31-year tenure. Her police career took her from patrol, to training officer, to serving as a school resource officer, detective, master police officer, patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, community policing sergeant, and administrative and operations Captain with King County, before her promotion to major.

Bennett served as police chief in Maple Valley from 2004 to 2014, becoming the city’s first female chief, and later served as Sammamish’s first female police chief from 2016 to 2019. She returned to the King County Sheriff’s Office in 2019 as a major, where she helped develop body-worn and in-car camera policies, advanced community coalitions, and strengthened partnerships among schools, law enforcement, and nonprofits to address opioid use. She retired in February 2021 as a major overseeing Strategic Planning and Coordination.

In March 2021, Bennett joined the Edmonds Police Department as interim chief and was appointed permanent chief later that year. During her tenure, she led an effort to modernize technology and data-tracking systems, expanded specialized programs, and aligned department staffing to strengthen leadership, community services, and accountability. She retired from Edmonds in February 2025.

Bennett holds a bachelor’s degree in Law and Justice, a master’s degree in Psychology/Organizational Development, and a doctorate in Education. She is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and the FBI National Academy. She has taught criminal justice and leadership courses at several colleges and law enforcement training institutions and has spent more than two decades developing and teaching nationally recognized anti-bullying and cyber-bullying programs.

Bennett has held numerous leadership roles, including president of the King County Police Chiefs’ and Sheriff’s Association and board president of the Washington State Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates. Reflecting on her career, Bennett said that while change can be challenging, “the opportunities for evolution and transparency in law enforcement are real,” and she believes Mercer Island is well-positioned for continued progress.