The mystery of who would be the next Shoreline police chief was solved May 25, when city manager Steve Burkett announced Tony Burtt will succeed Denise Turner.
Turner served as police chief for four years, and leaves May 31, after being promoted to Chief of the King County Sheriff’s Office Technical Services Division.
Burtt, 45, begins his new role as chief June 1 and comes to the job with a full resume after serving for 24 year in law enforcement. He is already familiar with the city, after working as a detective sergeant in Shoreline for more than a year when the department first opened in 1996. The city gets police services under a contract with the Sheriff’s Office.
“I had a wonderful experience working in Shoreline, it is a very positive community and just a real joy for me to work there,” Burtt said. “It is a privilege for me to serve as Shoreline police chief.”
Burtt joined the King County Sheriff’s Office in 1987, after serving with Los Angeles Police and Bellingham Police. His assignments include working as a patrol deputy, detective and media relations officer. His most recent assignment was supervisor of the civil unit, personnel unit and training unit in the Technical Services Division
Burtt was promoted to captain in 1997, and was promoted to major in the King County Sheriff’s Office along with his advancement to police chief.
Three candidates were interviewed for the position. Interviews were conducted by members of the police department, city department directors and city manager Steve Burkett.
“I am confident that Chief Burtt will be a good match for the Shoreline Police Department and community,” Burkett said. “In the interview he demonstrated an understanding of the importance of the police community relationship and the strong tradition of excellent service that has been established in the first nine years of the city’s existence.”
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