Bellevue PD Major Alycia McKinney takes deputy chief role with Port of Seattle

The Bellevue Police Department today announced the departure of Major Alycia McKinney from the agency after serving the organization and the city of Bellevue for close to a decade. Starting January 6, McKinney will assume the deputy chief of police role with the Port of Seattle Police Department.

“The Bellevue Police Department is in a phenomenal position to serve this community, and it’s largely because of the contributions of Major Alycia McKinney,” said Wendell Shirley, Chief of Police for the Bellevue Police Department. “We have no doubt Alycia will shine in this new opportunity, her leadership and presence in this department will be sorely missed. Congratulations, Alycia!”

Promoted to the position of Major in 2022, Alycia McKinney has transformed how Bellevue Police Officers and professional staff does its work to make the community a safe place to work, live, and visit. McKinney was involved in the development of the department’s Community Crisis Assistance Team (CCAT). Beginning as a pilot program, CCAT Officers pair with mental health professionals from the Fire Department’s Community Advocates for Referral and Education Services to help community members during times of crisis – particularly behavioral health emergencies – while also reducing the person’s chances of facing criminal charges, arrests, use of force and emergency room visits. Bellevue Police’s CCAT Unit received permanent funding in 2023.

Additionally, McKinney was responsible for Bellevue Police’s operations division, which includes the agency’s Patrol, SWAT, Community Crisis Assistance Team (CCAT) and Traffic squads. Alycia began her law enforcement career with the Washington State Patrol in 2011 before transferring to the Bellevue Police Department in 2015. She holds a dual master’s in business administration and management and leadership from Western Governors University. She is also a leadership instructor for the Criminal Justice Training Center and serves as the Vice President of the Bellevue Police Management Association.