Maple Valley, located in southeast King County, has contracted with the Sheriff's Office since 1997. The Department has eight patrol officers, one community police/storefront officer, one police chief, detective services and administrative support through the King County Sheriff’s Office. In addition we have a police administrative assistant at our front office to assist with community support and administrative police services. We also benefit by receiving additional Sheriff’s Office support such as air support from Guardian One (the Sheriff’s Office helicopter), drug enforcement, marine unit, 911 communication services and major crimes investigative support.

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.

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.

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

Community Policing and Problem Solving Projects/Programs

The City of Maple Valley is committed 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. Some of our COP efforts involve developing a sex offender watch, creating a trespass enforcement letter, and finding creative ways to address speeding, parking and commercial vehicle complaints.

New to the community policing/ problem solving efforts, we are proud to have initiated a “Sex Offender Watch” program. The M.V.P.D. works in cooperation with the Department of Corrections (DOC) to enhance patrols where felons on active probation are living, including registered sex offenders. A DOC probation officer has the assistance of a Maple Valley Police Officer when making monthly probation checks on individuals living in the city.

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.

In an effort to keep our streets safe and address specific concerns from our citizens, “Street of the Week” is published each month in a local newspaper and is on our website for public viewing. Officers concentrate their traffic enforcement on a different street location within the City.

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.” In 2006,164 parking warnings were left on vehicles in various locations within the City. Only3 vehicle owners disregarded the notice and therefore received citations for their violations.

Crime Prevention Efforts

Maple Valley has 19 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 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 is currently finishing her Education Doctorate. Michelle has taught criminal justice classes in local Washington State colleges including Shoreline Community College, Highline Community College, and Central Washington University since 1998.