Meet Shawn Ledford, Shoreline's New Police Chief, Tues. June 12

The community is invited to meet Shoreline's new Police Chief Shawn Ledford at 7 p.m. June 12 at Shoreline City Hall for a community meeting about public safety.

Gain insight into some of the recent crimes that have occurred in Shoreline and learn about some of the different crime prevention programs offered by the Shoreline Police Department.

There will also be an opportunity to learn what resources are available to victims of domestic violence and other crimes.

Chief Ledford will begin work as the City’s new Police Chief on June 1. Ledford replaces Dan Pingrey who has been promoted to Chief of the Patrol Operations Division of the King County Sheriff’s Office.

Ledford has been with the King County Sheriff’s Office for 23 years and brings with him experience as the Police Chief for the City of Newcastle where he focused on improving community policing efforts and citizen engagement. Ledford has also served as Zone Commander of the Patrol Operations Division, Acting Chief for the Criminal Investigation Division, a patrol officer in Federal Way, a training officer and negotiator on the Hostage Negotiations Team and a detective in the Special Assault and Major Crimes Robbery/Homicide Units.

Ledford is committed to building strong working relationships between the police and the community.

“It is my practice that we should treat the public, or those we serve, in the same way we would expect our family or our friends to be treated,” stated Ledford. “The relationship with our citizens is paramount to the success of our organization. We need to keep them included in the process and keep them informed.”

Rather than administering its own police force, the City of Shoreline contracts with King County Sheriff’s Office for police services. Officers work for King County but are dedicated to Shoreline so they get to know the community. The police chief reports to King County Sheriff Steve Strachan and Shoreline City Manager Julie Underwood.