Incoming Police Chief Mike Martin last week.
SNOHOMISH — Snohomish's incoming police chief, sheriff’s Lt. Mike Martin, is making rounds to introduce himself in Snohomish.
He'll be taking over for Chief Rob Palmer, who is retiring this week.
Both men were applauded at a Tuesday, June 20 community function in the Carnegie Building which had plenty of sheriff’s office colleagues in attendance.
Martin has been at the sheriff’s office for more than 20 years, including in SWAT command.
Martin said for Snohomish he plans to continue running a community-focused department “that mentors and grows people.”
Longtime colleagues spoke positively of his character.
Martin is cool-headed and decisive under pressure, Snohomish Police administrative Sgt. Chris Veentjer said.
“He’s one of the most calming people in a chaotic situation,” Veentjer said of the incoming chief.
Bureau chief Scott Robertson called Martin articulate, caring and empathetic.
Undersheriff Ian Huri said he’s confident in Martin’s leadership. He and Martin rose together in the ranks and both worked on coordinating SWAT situations; Huri in negotiations, Martin on the tactical side.
Michael Whitney photo
Retiring Police Chief Rob Palmer (in foreground right) converses with Undersheriff Ian Huri while incoming Police Chief Mike Martin (in background left) and his wife talk with sheriff’s office Bureau Chief Scott Robertson (in center) during a “Hail to the Chiefs” community greeting event held Tuesday, June 20 in the Snohomish Carnegie Building.
In a speech, Palmer described running his hometown Snohomish Police Department as the best assignment he’s had in his 34-year, 11-month career in law enforcement.
Palmer said he faced some puzzled looks why he’d want to be a police chief. His reply? “Why wouldn’t I?” He raised his family here, and his children graduated from Snohomish Schools.
He accepted a three year commitment to be Snohomish’s police chief, and had the option to extend his term if he wanted, he said. He said considered his role of being a caretaker for the department. As far back as 2020, he’d shared a plan to cap off his career here.
He had to jump into restorative work from the get-go.
It was early June 2020. Snohomish had been torn apart less than 10 days earlier when a group of openly armed “citizen patrollers,” including Proud Boys, occupied First Street after a hoax rumor said a mob of anti-fascist leftists was coming. Further incidents happened that week.
Palmer took over when the preceding police chief was reassigned out of Snohomish amid public scorn for characterizing the occupation event as like a “festive” block party.
Restoring calm and order was a priority. Palmer’s colleagues might say they couldn't have selected a better guy for the job.
