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 2004-2014, 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. She 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 and secondary schools and parents since 2001.
Michelle has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law and Justice, a Master of Science Degree in the field of 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 and has served as the President of the King County Chief’s and Sheriff Association, the Vice President of the Snohomish County Chief’s 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.