Chief Michael F. Knapp
Michael Knapp began his law enforcement career in 1971, working under J. Edgar Hoover as an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. From border duty in El Paso, Texas, to investigating Watergate participants and the Black Panther Party, to his final position as Deputy Chief of the FBI Senior Executive Service, Mike's twenty-six year term with "the Feds" was exciting and distinguished.
Shortly after his retirement, he was hired by the City of Medina, a wealthy community on the shores of Lake Washington, as Chief of Police. During his five years at Medina he implemented innovative programs and procedures, and helped the department reach accreditation under Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs standards.
Never one to kick back for long, when Mike saw that Ferndale was looking for a new police chief, he jumped at the opportunity and was hired by the city in September 2005. One of his goals here is to see this department also reach accreditation, and he is already working toward this end.
We are excited to have Mike Knapp as our new Chief of Police; his enthusiasm is contagious and he has already inspired the department members with a new sense of zeal, and eager anticipation of what the future will bring.