Mission Statement

The mission of the Maple Valley Police Department is to enhance the quality of life in our city by working in partnership with the community to provide exceptional law enforcement services.

Our Commitment

• Protect the lives and property of our fellow citizens and impartially enforce the law.
• Maintain the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
• Provide cost effective police services continuously monitored by performance measures.
• Utilize proactive, problem solving approaches to reduce crime and the fear of crime.
• Value human life, respect the dignity of each individual and render our services with courtesy and civility.
• Earn the trust, respect and support of citizens through active partnership, involvement and service in the community.  

Public Communication Efforts

MVPD hosts and participates in several events and training throughout the year with the goal of educating our adults and youngsters about safety, crime prevention, and problem solving techniques.

• Maple Valley Days
• Maple Valley Citizens’ Academy
• National Night Out
• Bike Safety Rodeo
• Bike Challenge/Kid’s Safety
• Neighborhood Watch Newsletter 
• Business Watch Newsletter

The City of Maple Valley is proud to co-sponsor the King County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Program. This hands-on program for individuals ages fourteen to twenty-one who are interested in law enforcement as a future career is fulfilling not only for the Explorer but for the community as well. The Explorers are proud to wear a uniform working hard and dedicating their time to the various community events. In addition the Explorers gain knowledge participating in training modules designed to teach law enforcement functions. For applications or more information please visit our website at; www.maplevalleywa.gov/police-programs

Community Policing and Problem Solving Projects/Programs

The Maple Valley Police Department is dedicated to Community-Oriented Policing (COP) and one of the key components of COP is problem solving. We have adopted structured problem solving techniques as our normal way of addressing crime and safety issues in the city. We are using crime analysis information available to us through technology services to concentrate our efforts where they are needed the most.

Some of our COP efforts involve developing a trespass enforcement letter, and finding creative ways to address speeding, parking and commercial vehicle complaints.

Our department created a “Trespass Enforcement Request” for businesses in Maple Valley to authorize the M.V.P.D. to issue trespass citations in business parking lots. The purpose of the trespass enforcement letter is to allow business owners the opportunity to make their businesses as safe and user-friendly as possible.

MVPD continues to address the truck traffic complaints in the City. The City provides training and equipment for a certified Level I Inspector.

Finally, the City of Maple Valley has received numerous complaints from its citizens regarding parking violations in their neighborhoods. In response to their concerns and to gain voluntary compliance from motorists who drive and park in these neighborhoods, the M.V.P.D. introduced “parking warning tickets.”

Crime Prevention Efforts

Maple Valley has several Neighborhood Watch groups which help to reduce crime and the fear of crime in their neighborhoods. Your police department is very interested in building awareness and support in Neighborhood Watch programs in our city. If you are presently involved in one of our programs, I want to thank you for your participation and your work in joining with your neighbors to fight crime. If you would like assistance in getting your neighborhood involved in a Neighborhood Watch, I encourage you to call us for assistance.

About Your Police Chief

Michelle Bennett has worked for the King County Sheriff’s Office since 1990. She has been a School Resource Officer, Field-Training Officer, Master Police Officer, Washington State Criminal Justice Training Academy Tactical Officer and Instructor, Field Training Sergeant, Bicycle Sergeant, Street Crimes Sergeant, School Resource Officer Sergeant / Coordinator, Community Police Sergeant / Coordinator, and Youth Explorer Sergeant, Administrative Captain and Operations Captain in her career as a law enforcement officer. Michelle is currently the Chief of Police for the City of Maple Valley Police Department.

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, with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction. Michelle has taught criminal justice classes for the last 11 years in local Washington State colleges including Shoreline Community College, Highline Community College, and Central Washington University. She also teaches part time for the School of Police Staff and Command for Northwestern University.