Interim Chief of Police

Chief Bennett’s Welcome Message

It is my pleasure to reach out to our community for the first time! I have heard so many amazing things about your police department and have been highly impressed with this professional and well-run organization. I intend to provide this wonderful, diverse group of public servants with a stable platform of leadership and direction. We will continue to move forward and focus on providing excellent customer service to each person that we encounter. The opportunities for evolution and transparency in law enforcement are real, and I know that this agency has embraced and prepared for them.

I look forward to meeting many of you as I venture out into this beautiful city. I’m honored to have been asked to lead this agency and assure you that I will do so with professionalism and compassion, as our department provides services that meet or exceed the expectations of our community.  

Biography:

Michelle Bennett worked for the King County Sheriff’s Office from 1990 to 2021. She held a variety of assignments within the Sheriff’s Office. From 2004 to 2014, she was the Chief of Police for the City of Maple Valley Police Department, and from 2016 to 2019, she was the Chief of Police for the City of Sammamish. In February of 2021, Michelle retired as a Major in charge of Strategic Planning and Coordination for the King County Sheriff’s Office. In March of 2021, Michelle was appointed as the Chief of Police for the city of Edmonds, before moving to the City of Mercer Island as a strategic planner for the Police Department. In July of 2025, Michelle was asked to assume the role of the interim Chief of Police in the absence of Chief Sutter.

Michelle has taught for various colleges and universities since 1998, including Highline College, Shoreline College, Northwest University, Central Washington University, Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, and the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center (police academy). Michelle has been teaching anti-bullying and cyber-bullying classes for workplaces, colleges, government organizations, secondary schools, and parents since 2001.

Michelle has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law and Justice, a Master of Science Degree in Psychology/Organizational Development and Behavior, and a Doctorate in Education (Dissertation topic was on bullying), with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction. She has served on several college criminal justice advisory committee boards. She has served as the President of the King County Chiefs’ and Sheriff Association, the Vice President of the Snohomish County Chiefs’ and Sheriff Association, and the President of the Washington State FBI National Academy Board. She is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, Session 235, and of the FBI National Academy, Session 247.