According to the City of Bellevue, City Manager Brad Miyake appointed Wendell J. Shirley to lead the Bellevue Police Department during the search for a permanent replacement. Shirley will be acting as assistant chief for Chief Steve Mylett, who accepted a new job in Ohio. He will take on these duties in August.
“I’m pleased to announce that Chief Shirley has agreed to serve as interim chief during this transitional period within the Bellevue Police Department,” said City Manager Miyake. “He has my full confidence and I look forward to working with him.”
Shirley has over 25 years of experience in law enforcement. He was a former long-time officer in the Santa Monica, California Police Department and had retired in 2019. The interim assistant chief felt called to return to public service after national protests over social justice and police reform last year.
“I am honored and humbled at the opportunity to serve alongside the outstanding men and women of the Bellevue Police Department,” said Chief Shirley. “The department will continue to make community safety our highest priority, and we are committed to an inclusive and diverse approach, which better serves everyone in Bellevue. And while policing in America is facing some serious challenges, I am confident we will emerge even better.”
Shirley will take over Chief Mylett’s duties on August 9th. The city will being the process of a nationwide search for a permanent replacement in the coming weeks.
