Meet Michael Morrison, Chelan County Sheriff

As the elected Sheriff of Chelan County, Michael Morrison brings nearly two decades of law enforcement experience, a deep commitment to community service, and a proactive, collaborative approach to public safety.

A graduate of Central Washington University, Morrison has served in a wide range of roles—from school resource officer and field training officer to rescue team member and union president—before being elected as the county’s 19th sheriff in 2022.

Since taking office, he’s prioritized transparency, technology, and mental health response, while strengthening partnerships across all levels of government. In this Q&A, Morrison shares what drives his leadership, the accomplishments he’s most proud of, and how he’s preparing the Sheriff’s Office to meet the evolving needs of a growing and diverse region.

Please tell our readers a little bit about yourself.

I am proud to serve as the 19th Sheriff in the sheriff’s office’s 125 year history. With over 19 years of experience in law-enforcement it has been an honor and a privilege to serve in such a noble profession. I began my career after earning a bachelors degree from Central Washington University. Since that time I have served in a variety of roles to include emergency vehicle operations instructor, school resource officer, field training officer, union president, and on several specialized rescue teams to include swift water, high angle rope rescue and search and rescue. 

I have also completed the West Point Leadership Course, the FBI‘s Law Enforcement Executive Development Series (LEEDS - 82 Session), the FBI Trilogy Series (Supervisor, Command and Executive), National Sheriffs Institute (119th Session) and hold both Middle Management and Executive Level career certifications from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Further, I serve on the Chelan Douglas Community Action Council, Columbia River Drug Task Force, East Cascade Regional SWAT Team, Rivercom and Washington State Sheriffs and Police Chiefs Executive Boards.

You were elected Chelan County Sheriff in 2022. What have been your top priorities during your first two years in office, and how have they evolved?

Since being elected Sheriff in 2022, I have focused on fulfilling campaign promises by enhancing transparency, introducing technology like body cameras and license plate readers and expanding facilities and offices to support a growing team. Thanks to strong partnership with the County Board of Commissioners, we’ve increased the agency's permanent size allowance. During this administration's time in office crime rates have decreased, case closure rates have improved and we have prioritized communication and transparency. Further we have prioritized community engagement and secured grant funding to ease the burden on taxpayers. For the remaining two years of my first term I‘m committed to working with all levels of government to bring more resources to the county in order to better serve our communities.

How would you describe your leadership style? What values guide you in your role as Sheriff?

My leadership style is centered on “community first” and “service above self”. I believe in leading with integrity, transparency, and accountability, always putting the needs and safety of our communities at the forefront. Collaboration, respect, and empathy guide how I engage with both my team and the public we serve. As Sheriff I’m committed to building trust, fostering open communication and ensuring our deputies are supported and properly equipped to serve our communities with professionalism and compassion. These values not only strengthen our agency but also create a safer, more connected county for everyone.

What partnerships—either with other agencies, local governments, or private-sector groups—have been most valuable to your mission as sheriff?

Partnerships have been essential to fulfilling our mission. Working closely with our regional partners (Douglas County SO, East Wenatchee PD, Wenatchee PD) our state partners (Washington State Patrol and Fish & Wildlife) along with our federal partners (US Forest Service, Homeland Security Investigations and several others) have been imperative. All of these relationships have been key in helping us navigate challenges like state wide staffing shortages and unfunded state mandates. We also deeply value our relationships with local nonprofits and private organizations such as Catholic Family Charities, CAFE, SAGE, NewPath, Rivercom, and many others. The truth is we can’t do this alone. It takes a village to meet the growing demands of law enforcement today and these partnerships help us provide the well-rounded community centered service our communities deserve and have come to expect.

What are some recent accomplishments or milestones that you and your team are most proud of?

We’re proud of the strides we’ve made in just two years. We’ve increased equipment for staff, expended our allowed number of deputies, and secured state and federal grants to grow our capabilities without burdening local taxpayers. Just as important, we have strengthened community relationships, improved partnerships, and created more opportunities for deputies to be visible and engaged. These milestones reflect our commitment to safety, service, and continuous improvement. We will continue to push for agency growth.

Behavioral health-related calls have become increasingly common for law enforcement. How is your office addressing the intersection of mental health, addiction, and public safety? Are there co-responder or diversion programs in place?

Mental health and addiction related calls are increasingly common, and we have prioritized a compassionate, pro-active response to these issues. Since taking office we’ve doubled our behavioral health unit from three to six members and expanded coverage to 21 hours a day across Chelan and Douglas County. We have also focused on supporting Deputy wellness (physical and mental) and partnered with recovery navigators and local governments to address addiction and homelessness. Together, these efforts have created a more comprehensive, community centered approach to public safety.  

What role does the Sheriff’s Office play in emergency management and wildfire response, and how are you preparing for increased fire risks across the region?

Our Emergency Management department has become the benchmark for state programs. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) has adopted our emergency management response plan as the model, and the governor's office has recognized our agency as a leader in this area. We continued to work closely with Regional, State, and Federal partners to ensure cohesive and efficient responses to natural disasters including wildfires. Over the past two years this collaboration has been critical and we continue to prioritize it as wild fire risks increase. We’ve also enhanced our alert system to keep the community better informed and safe.

The opioid crisis continues to affect communities across Washington. What is your office doing to address substance abuse, drug trafficking, and related crimes?

Our agency continues to be the lead in our region's drug task force. We continue to actively combat substance abuse and drug trafficking as it is often the root of other crimes. We also continue to partner closely with organizations like CAFE’s Recovery Navigators, Catholic Family Charities TREAD, and Columbia Valley Health's NewPath program to promote treatment as the first option offering alternatives to arrest whenever possible. We’ve also worked with state and federal lawmakers to develop solutions and collaborate with local communities in order to address open air drug usage. 

Well, this remains a major challenge. We know we can’t do it alone. Recently our drug task force was recognized by the US Attorney General‘s Office for its efforts and we remain committed to finding effective, compassionate solutions for all members of our community. 

Chelan County has a mix of rural, agricultural, and tourism-driven communities. How does your office adapt law enforcement strategies to such a diverse regional landscape?

Our agency's mission drives how we adapt to the county's diverse rural, agricultural and tourism needs. The sheriffs office has faced these unique challenges over its 125 year history. Specifically within the past two years this administration has prioritized properly equipping its rescue teams, regional SWAT Team and marine program. Several of these programs were found in poor condition and inadequately equipped when we took office. This has since been remedied. Currently, we are one of four agencies in the state with a helicopter and now have a highly recognized marine program that has received numerous state accolades. We take pride in being a benchmark beyond traditional law enforcement operations and will continue to lead in a way that best serves our communities and visitors to the county. 

What are some of the most under-appreciated or misunderstood aspects of the Sheriff’s Office that you wish more citizens or business leaders understood?

We are incredibly fortunate to serve the communities we serve. They truly support and appreciate the work we do providing some of the highest support I’ve seen anywhere in the country. That support means a great deal to our team. If there’s one thing I would highlight it is that we’ve been able to maintain high levels of service, despite financial challenges and staffing levels that are still lower than they were in 2008. While not ideal we work hard to stretch our resources by using technology to expand our capabilities. That said, as our county grows, especially with an increasing number of new residents and visitors, we do need more personnel to meet rising demands. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished and remain committed to serving our communities as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope to leave as sheriff of Chelan County?

Looking ahead, the legacy I hope to leave as Sheriff is one of unwavering commitment to our communities,  rooted in empathy, compassion, and professionalism. I want to be remembered as a leader, who not only upheld public safety, but also truly cared about the people we serve, building trust and strong relationships across all walks of life. I am passionate about fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and collaboration, ensuring our agency evolves alongside the needs of our citizens. By investing in our deputies, embracing technology, and prioritizing community engagement, I want to leave behind an agency that’s stronger, more connected, and better equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Above all, I hope my legacy inspires future leaders to serve with heart, integrity, and a genuine dedication to making our communities a safer, more inclusive place for everyone. I truly feel law-enforcement is the most noble profession one can choose and I’m glad I did. 

Who or what inspires you?

My inspiration began with my Mother, one of the first female officers in Washington State. Her trailblazing legacy still motivates me as does the example provided by other law enforcement members of my family (father, uncle and cousin). Today I’m inspired by the citizens we serve. They look to us for solutions, not excuses. Their trust drives me to work harder every day, to meet if not exceed their expectations they rightly have of their Sheriff’s Office. I am forever grateful for the responsibility they have bestowed upon me and I do not take that responsibility lightly.