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Sammamish police chief highlights top safety rankings, staffing and new training
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Summary
Police Chief Steve Leisen told the council Jan. 13 that Sammamish ranks highly for safety, outlined patrol and specialty staffing through the King County Sheriff's Office contract, described a no-cost active-shooter training partnership and announced a new canine and community engagement officer.
Sammamish Police Chief Steve Leisen told the City Council on Jan. 13 that the department’s contracted model with the King County Sheriff’s Office gives the city access to regional specialty units while maintaining locally focused patrols.
"Sammamish is currently ranked the number 1 safest city in Washington and number 8 in the nation according to US News and World Report based upon FBI violent crime statistics," Leisen said, adding that the ranking reflects community partnerships and proactive policing.
Leisen outlined department structure and staffing: Sammamish patrol operates three shifts (day, swing and graveyard) with 10-hour, 4-day schedules; detectives and a traffic/motors unit provide investigative and traffic enforcement coverage; and the contract model allows rapid access to major-crimes, marine-rescue, drone, bomb-disposal and other specialty units through King County resources.
He introduced recent personnel additions and programs: a new community engagement officer, Matt Martin, who will be cross‑trained as a detective; a recently acquired marine rescue boat; and the department’s first dedicated canine in Precinct 2, Falco, a German shepherd now deployed on patrol. Leisen said the canine is a force multiplier that helps de‑escalate and protect officers.
The chief also described a live-action active‑shooter training program put together in partnership with a JTAC counterterrorism unit and Sound Transit. Leisen said the department ran the training at minimal city cost (he joked the only cost was pizza) and plans to extend the program to additional shifts.
Council members asked follow-up questions. Councilmember Stewart urged more advertising for the department’s car-seat inspection events; Leisen agreed to work with staff to increase outreach. Councilmember Lam asked about e‑bikes and outreach to schools; Leisen said the department planned renewed school outreach on the topic through the new community engagement officer and called for continued coordination with local homeowner associations and schools.
Leisen closed by thanking the council and noting the advantages of the KCSO contract model for a city of Sammamish’s size.
Provenance: Police presentation introduced at SEG 2312 and Q&A continued through SEG 2684.
