The City of SeaTac has announced two finalists for its next police chief, narrowing the search after a multi-step selection process conducted with the King County Sheriff’s Office.

Both candidates bring decades of law enforcement experience in King County and have previously served in SeaTac under contract policing agreements.

The following information was published by the City of SeaTac blog on April 10.

The SeaTac City Manager’s Office, in partnership with the King County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a competitive, merit-based review of applicants. The process included background evaluations, screenings, and a series of panel interviews.

Meet the Finalists

The following two candidates have been selected to interview for the position of Police Chief, presented in alphabetical order by last name:

Captain Michael Smith
King County Sherriff’s Office

Captain Michael Smith is a lifelong Washington State native currently assigned to the City of SeaTac as a Captain with the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO). He currently serves as the City’s acting police chief. A veteran of the United States Air Force who served both before and after September 11, 2001, Captain Smith has been married for nearly 31 years and has two children. In June, he will mark 25 years of service with the King County Sheriff’s Office.

Throughout his career, Captain Smith has served in a wide range of operational and leadership roles, including Field Training Officer, Patrol Training Officer, Master Patrol Officer, Firearms Instructor, Patrol Training Sergeant, Special Emphasis Team Detective Sergeant, Internal Investigations Detective Sergeant, Patrol Operations Captain, Administrative Captain, Rapid Deployment Force Commander, and Acting Police Chief.

Captain Smith has served across unincorporated southeast, southwest, and north King County, as well as under Sheriff’s Office contracts in Maple Valley, Metro Transit, Sound Transit, and the City of SeaTac — giving him deep familiarity with the communities and operational demands unique to contract law enforcement in King County. Captain Smith’s service has been recognized with several of the Sheriff’s Office’s highest honors, including the Sheriff’s Star — the second-highest award in the Sheriff’s Office, presented for acts of courage, bravery, and significant risk to life — as well as the Commander’s Award, the Meritorious Service Award, and the 2018 Precinct 2 Sergeant of the Year Award.

Captain Marcus Williams
King County Sheriff’s Office

Captain Marcus Williams is currently serving his second tour as the Commander of the Major Investigations Section of the King County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID). Captain Williams began his career with the King County Sheriff’s Office in June 1991, following service in the U.S. Navy as an engineer aboard the nuclear submarine USS Alaska. He is completing his 35th year of service this June.

Captain Williams served the City of Federal Way from 1991 to 1993, then became a detective in Burien, where he remained until his promotion in 1998. He subsequently served as a patrol supervisor in Covington, Maple Valley, and Newcastle before returning to the Southwest (Burien) Precinct as a Patrol Training Officer. In 2004, he served the City of SeaTac as a Master Police Officer and Sergeant — a community to which he is now honored to return.

From 2014 to 2017, Captain Williams served as both Operations Captain and Investigations Captain at Metro Transit Police. He was then selected to command the Sheriff’s Office Internal Investigations Unit (IIU). Newly elected Sheriff Johanknecht promoted him to the rank of Major in January 2018, during which time he served as interim Chief of Police for the City of Burien.

Captain Williams subsequently commanded the Criminal Investigations Division and the Sheriff’s Special Operations units, including SWAT, Marine, Aviation, and the Advanced Training Unit (ATU). He returned to lead Metro Transit Police and served as Acting Chief before being selected as Chief of Police for Sound Transit Police, a role he held from October 2023 until returning to the Sheriff’s CID, where he currently serves. Captain Williams attended the University of Utah and holds an A.A.S. in Criminal Justice from Highline College. He is a 2016 graduate of the Northwestern University School for Police Staff and Command. He considers it one of his greatest honors to be considered for the position of Chief of Police for the City of SeaTac.

Public Meet and Greet 

Residents are invited to meet the finalists in person at a public Meet & Greet event:

  •  Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
  •  Time: 5:15 – 6 p.m.
  •  Location: SeaTac City Hall, 4800 South 188thStreet, SeaTac, WA 98188

The community is encouraged to attend, ask questions, and share feedback.

About the Search Process

The search for a new Police Chief was initiated following the departure of Chief Troy Smithmeyer in January 2026. The City partnered with the King County Sheriff’s Office to conduct outreach, application review, and screening. The selection process emphasized community engagement, public safety experience, and a commitment to the City’s values.

The new Police Chief is expected to begin service later this year.

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