Shelby Parker appointed Chief of Olympia Police Department

Olympia Police Department veteran Shelby Parker was elevated to role of chief, after serving as the interim chief for about nine months.

City Manager Jay Burney announced the move on Thursday, March 12.

Parker was named interim chief in June 2025 after the retirement of former Chief Rich Allen, which took effect on June 16, 2025. 

She previously held the position of deputy chief, and has served for more than two decades with the Olympia Police Department, where she has spent her entire law enforcement career.

“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,” said Burney in announcing the appointment of Parker.

Burney said Parker leads with optimism and is committed to strengthening relationships both within and outside the city organization.

He said she has successfully built partnerships across Olympia, and fostered trust with the community through dialogue, collaboration and responsiveness.

During her time in executive roles, Parker helped lead labor negotiations with police unions, updated department policies to align with modern policing practices, and expanded transparency by sharing departmental data with the public. She also supported efforts to implement recommendations from Olympia’s public safety reimagining process.

Parker has also focused on internal operations, including officer wellness, professional development and recruitment. She also addressed staffing shortages by advancing new recruitment and training approaches to fill existing vacancies.

Parker holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from the University of Washington and has completed several executive leadership trainings. She is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police.

She also holds an executive-level career certification from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, the highest level of professional certification offered in Washington.

According to the announcement, Parker’s leadership philosophy emphasizes equity, community connection and shared responsibility for public safety.

Parker’s commissioning as chief will be held at the city council’s meeting on Tuesday, March 24. The city will host a community open house for Parker on Tuesday, March 31, at 6 p.m. in council chambers at Olympia City Hall.