After more than a decade of service, the Snoqualmie Police Department will hand off police services in North Bend this spring.
Under the September 2025 Police Services Interlocal Agreement between the City of North Bend and the City of Snoqualmie, the King County Sheriff’s Office will begin serving as North Bend’s police department on April 1, 2026. The Snoqualmie Police Department will continue to serve the City of Snoqualmie, and both departments are committed to providing high-quality public safety services that ensure the protection and well-being of both cities.
For King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall, the moment carries special meaning. “What a great full circle moment,” she said. “North Bend was our first contract city 53 years ago, and I am thrilled to be the partner police agency for this city once again.”
The shifting of police services has involved months of collaborative work between incoming Chief Ed Hall, Snoqualmie Police Department Interim Chief Gary Horejsi, and their teams, including the transition of dispatch communications, records, policies, and staffing.
North Bend Mayor Mary Miller expressed confidence that North Bend’s small-town sense of care and fellowship will continue under Chief Hall’s leadership, and that despite the change, the city’s intent is to keep its connection with the Snoqualmie Police Department strong.
The professionalism shown throughout the preparation process has helped ensure strong public safety for both communities, according to Snoqualmie Mayor James Mayhew, who emphasized what the two cities share. “North Bend and Snoqualmie share schools, businesses, and families, and that connection does not change with this transition,” he said. “Snoqualmie remains committed to strong regional partnerships and looks forward to continued coordination and to North Bend’s success.”
For North Bend residents, the transition brings several new public safety features and enhancements. In response to questions about what residents could expect, the city said KCSO will provide dedicated officers on patrol at all times, body-worn cameras, and increased special unit support, including Special Weapons and Tactics, K9, bomb squad, and digital forensics and Major Crimes.
By 2027, North Bend officers will drive North Bend-branded vehicles. Residents can also expect an increase in transparent, open, and trackable data. One practical change to note: the North Bend Police Department will have a new non-emergency phone number, but residents should continue to dial 9-1-1 for emergency dispatch. The city asks residents to keep an eye on the City of North Bend website at northbendwa.gov and social media platforms, including Facebook, Nexdoor, Instagram, and X, for continued updates.
When asked about the substation and annex, the city said two locations are being prepared for police operations: the North Bend Premium Outlet substation and police headquarters at the city annex building. The substation is planned as a public-facing storefront with opportunities for the community to stop by when officers are present. Renovation is a collaborative effort involving KCSO, the Snoqualmie Police Department, and Simon Properties, the outlet mall’s management company, with more information to be shared as the project progresses.
The city annex building will serve as the primary office and headquarters for the new Chief of Police and the North Bend PD Detective, providing a secure space to complete paperwork, submit reports, take breaks, and meet with community members who want to report crimes or concerns.
Incoming Chief Ed Hall says he has already felt the warmth of the community. “I am so appreciative of the warm welcome I’ve already received by the people of North Bend,” he said. “I’m excited to get to work and give back to this community that I called home for so long. I am extremely grateful to Chief Horejsi for helping make this transition as smooth and seamless as possible.”
Living Snoqualmie asked how coordination between the two departments would continue after the transition. According to the city, Chief Hall and Interim Chief Horejsi have been meeting regularly to exchange and share information regarding shared communities such as the school district, businesses, and social services, and plan to continue that collaborative relationship going forward.
Beginning March 6, North Bend residents will have the opportunity to meet incoming Police Chief Ed Hall at a series of casual morning and evening events around the city. The first two are scheduled for the same day. In the morning, Hall will host a Coffee Talk at Huxdotter Coffee from 9 to 10 a.m. That evening, community members can catch him at Last Call with incoming Chief Hall at Volition Brewing from 5 to 6 p.m.
Residents are encouraged to stop by, meet Chief Hall, and ask questions. Additional events will be announced on the City of North Bend website at northbendwa.gov and on the city’s social media platforms.
As April 1 approaches, both the City of North Bend and the City of Snoqualmie are committed to keeping residents informed every step of the way. The two cities will continue to provide community updates as preparations wrap up, and residents looking to dig deeper into the history and process of the Police Services ILA negotiations can find resources on both cities’ dedicated webpages. Fifty-three years after North Bend became the King County Sheriff’s Office’s first contract city, a new chapter is beginning, and by all accounts, both cities are ready.
