WDFW names new Michael Jewell as its new police chief

The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Police this week announced its new police chief, Michael Jewell, a career law enforcement officer.

He was sworn in as the new chief on July 15.

Jewell brings more than 26 years of law enforcement experience to his new role, including 24 years with WDFW Police.

"Mike brings a wealth of natural resource knowledge and an understanding of our agency’s mission and core values," WDFW Director Kelly Susewind said in a news release. "The Enforcement Program is the centerpiece of conservation. I am confident Mike will meet those objectives with integrity and professionalism."

For Jewell, his dedication to natural resource protection and public safety has underscored the need for a strong statewide WDFW enforcement presence. This is essential to the longevity of the state’s wild spaces and waterways, in addition to rural and urban communities, WDFW stated in the news release.

“We all have a connection to our natural world, in one way or another,” Jewell said in the release. “Protecting wildlife and the ecosystems they rely on, as well as keeping people safe, are critical in maintaining Washington’s incredible quality of life we all enjoy. I am proud and humbled to be selected to lead the law enforcement professionals who help carry out this mission.”

Jewell started with WDFW Police in 2001, assigned to the Westport duty station. Over the course of his career, he has served as a field training officer, instructor and sergeant, and he has been the North Central Region captain since 2017. Jewell holds a bachelor’s degree in natural resource management from Washington State University and a master’s degree in public safety from the University of Virginia. In 2023, he completed the National Conservation Law Enforcement Leadership Academy and graduated as a member of the 288th session of the FBI National Academy.

Jewell replaces Steve Bear, who has led the program since 2017 and will retire this month.  As chief, Jewell will oversee 186 personnel, including 154 commissioned officers.

As a result of the Legislature’s cuts, WDFW Police lost 11 field officers as of July 2026. Despite the state’s population rising 50% since 1995, WDFW Police has the same number of officers as 30 years ago, according to the release.

Fish and Wildlife Police are responsible for law enforcement statewide, including state and federal lands and waters, and respond to a variety of related issues, including poaching, natural disasters, public safety, and habitat and endangered species protection.