The city of Maple Valley and the King County Sheriff’s Office are moving forward with the process of hiring a new police chief for Maple Valley.

The city, which contracts with the Sheriff’s Office for police services, is seeking a new chief due to the impending reassignment of Chief Michelle Bennett, as Sheriff John Urquhart makes changes within the department.

The position was opened to applicants within the department that are at the rank of captain. Two applications have been received, city manager David Johnston said this week.

The next steps include scheduling interviews with the three interview panels. Those panels include one made up of current Maple Valley Police Department officers, one made up of the city’s management team, and one made up of the City Council members. The candidates will be interviewed by all three of panels separately. The panel members will then make their recommendation to Johnston, who will then conduct final interviews. Urquhart and Johnston will together make the final decision on which candidate receives the offer.

“I feel confident we should be able to finish it by Labor Day,” Johnston said.

Bennett has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 1990 and worked as Maple Valley’s chief for most of the past decade. She spent one year elsewhere within the Sheriff’s Office when she advanced from sergeant to captain.

In June, Bennett told the Reporter that she has loved working in Maple Valley and being a part of the community. She said 10 years is a long time in one post and movement within the Sheriff’s Office will allow her to continue to diversify her experience.