City of Olympia announces new police chief with a familiar name
The City of Olympia announced on March 12 that Shelby Parker was appointed Chief of Police for the Olympia Police Department. Parker has served as the interim chief since June, and deputy chief before that.
According to a news release from the city, Parker has worked in public service for more than two decades. The entirety of her career has been spent at the Olympia Police Department.
City Manager Jay Burney said in the release that Parker has worked to build partnerships across the city and to foster trust with the community through dialogue and responsiveness.
“Chief Parker has demonstrated a commitment to leading with integrity, listening to and responding to our community’s public safety priorities, and seeking a balanced approach to keeping our community safe while moving community members towards wellness,” he said in the release. “Anyone who has spent time with Chief Parker knows that she leads with optimism and is dedicated to strengthening relationships both within and outside the City organization.”
Parker is 46 years old and has worked for the department for 23 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Washington, according to the release. She has completed executive leadership training, including graduating from the FBI National Academy and the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police.
She also holds an Executive Level Career Certificate from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, which is the highest level of professional certification offered in Washington, according to the release.
Parker told The Olympian on March 12 that one of the biggest challenges facing law enforcement across the country is staffing. Recruiting and retaining qualified officers has become more difficult over the years, she said.
“For the Olympia Police Department, our focus is on maintaining the high standards our community expects by hiring people who are committed to service, professionalism, and the values of the community we serve,” she said.
She said another challenge OPD faces is the limited availability of mental health and substance use disorder treatment resources.
“Our officers regularly encounter people who are struggling and in need of care and support,” she said. “When those treatment options are limited, it becomes much harder to connect individuals with the help they truly need.”
She said OPD’s Outreach Services Division includes 12 Crisis Response Unit professionals and two peer navigators who work with folks in the community.
Parker said OPD is committed to supporting officer and professional staff wellness through peer support teams, training around mental health and access to mental health clinicians.
“Policing can involve repeated exposure to traumatic events and high stress, and taking care of the people who serve our community is incredibly important to me,” she said. “When we take care of our people and ensure they have the support they need, they are better able to serve our community with professionalism, compassion, and resilience.”
“Chief Parker’s leadership philosophy emphasizes equity, connection, and shared responsibility for community safety and well-being,” according to the release. “As Chief, she is committed to advancing Olympia’s public safety goals through innovation, transparency, and accountability while supporting the dedicated professionals of the Olympia Police Department in their service to the community.”
Parker’s commissioning as Chief will take place at the March 24 City Council meeting. An open house for Parker will be held at 6 p.m. March 31 in Council Chambers.
Assistant City Manager Stacey Ray told The Olympian that the salary for the police chief is $256,039. She said hiring of all department directors, including the police chief, are the responsibility of the city manager, and don’t require formal action by Council.
This story was originally published March 12, 2026 at 2:23 PM.
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