Decision Expected On New Police Chief Soon

The finalists in contention to replace Dan Pingrey as Shoreline's Police Chief praised Shoreline and its police department as a highly desirable place to live and work during a meet-and-greet with city staff and the public Tuesday night at Shoreline City Hall.

All five candidates went through interviews with city staff on Tuesday, and Shoreline City Manager Julie Underwood said she is gathering input and expects to be make a decision by the end of the week. 

Here's a quick rundown of who the candidates are and some of the things they said. All five are currently employed by the King County Sheriff's Department.

•Michelle Bennett: Bennett is currently the Maple Valley police chief, but has strong ties to Shoreline. She attended the old Shoreline High School until it closed and graduated from Shorecrest and still has family in the area. She started her law enforcement career in Shoreline on patrol duty in 1990. She worked as a patrol sergeant, storefront sergeant, explorer sergeant and school resource officer during her time in Shoreline. When she had her son she applied to be Maple Valley's chief and got the job. 

"If selected, I would move, my family's still up here," she said.

She said she believes in collaboration with community groups and community involvement.

In March 2011, deputies in her department shot and killed a 19-year-old man, who wielded a machete and struck a patrol car with it. The officers tried to tase the man but it was ineffective and they shot him. The man was on record in the state police database as having made verbal threats to kill officers. Later an inquest was ordered in the case, which is typical.

"That's a difficult situation, you have to be supportive of the officers," she said. "It's difficult for the family. I think being a listener and being in tune with what the community wants and needs is important. It's important to hear concerns. It's a lot to balance, and there's never an easy answer."

She has an associate's degree from Shoreline Community College, a B.A. in law and justice from Central Washington University, an M.A. in organizational development psychology from Central Washington University, and doctorate in education from Seattle Pacific University. Her dissertation was the "Efficacy of School Bullying Programs." She teaches community policing at Central Washington University as well.

•Jerrell Wills: Wills, a major in the Sheriff's Office is the East Precinct Commander for the Sheriff's Office, and has the highest rank within the Sheriff's Office of the candidates. He's been with Sheriff's Office for 24 years. He grew up in San Jose and Los Angeles before following his mother to Tacoma his senior year of high school.

"The community perception (in California) was, don’t look at police, don’t call them, don’t talk to them. There was a certain disconnect, mistrust, fear and intimidation," he told the Snoqualmie Valley Record in 2008. "But I still respected them, and I still thought, ‘What a great job, serving your community."

He has a bachelor's degree in society and justice from the University of Washington and was hired by the Sheriff's Office in 1988.

Wills was the Sheriff's Office spokesman in the mid-1990s. He said the police need to be "reponsive, communicative and timely," and above all else, we need to be transparent."

He said many Shoreline officers came out of his precinct and said Shoreline has the best officers and retains the best officers. 

Wills, who lives in the Snoqualmie Valley, called the Shoreline chief job, "an opportunity that doesn't come along often," even though it's not a promotion for him, and "it would be an honor to be selected."

•Shawn Ledford: Ledford is a captain in the Sheriff's Office and is currently Zone Commander for the Patrol Operations Division and serves under Wills. He is the former Chief of Police for the City of Newcastle. He's spent 23 years with the Sheriff's Office. He's worked on patrol in Federal Way, as a training officer on the hostage negotiations team, as a sex crimes detective and major crimes detective. 

He said the most rewarding part of his career was his six years as chief in Newcastle.

He said "routine calls for us, are not routine to the general public," and its important for officers to "explain the process when emotions run high for an individual."

Ledford also said he would expand the point of contact for elementary and middle schools with existing officers.

He is married with two boys and lives in Snohomish County.

•DJ Nesel: Nesel is currently the director of King County's 911 Communications Center, where he manages 90 employees and a $10 million budget. He's been with the Sheriff's Office for 20 years including stints on patrol, as a detective, acting chief, the gang unit, and has been involved in union and professional groups acting as a secretary-treasurer. 

He has a bachelor's degree in business and finance from the University of Washington, and has used that background in various jobs with the Sheriff's Office.

He called Shoreline, the "crown jewel of police contract cities" in King County, the largest such city, and he "cut his teeth here as a deputy."

The "reputation is second to none, these folks (the Shoreline Police) are looking out for their citizens." 

He is a married parent and lives in South King County.

•Brad Thompson: Thompson has been with the Sheriff's Office the longest, 34 years, and is currently assistant chief in Burien.

He previously served as Chief of Police in Sammamish as well as a patrol deputy, SWAT team member, patrol sergeant in Federal Way, worked in Metro Transit policing and for two years investigating complaints against the Sheriff's Office.

He also has been in the United States Army Reserve since Dec. 1993 and served stints in Kosovo and Iraq, where he led security efforts for Congressional members and an ambassador. He has a B.A. in Law & Justice from Central Washington, a diploma in law enforcement management from the FBI National Academy and an Executive Leadership Certificate from the Criminal Justice Training Commission.

Thompson called Shoreline, "dynamic community," and said he would "make decisions that would make the community safer."

He is a married parent and lives in Auburn.

Feedback can be offered to Underwood, at junderwood@shorelinewa.gov.