Kenmore Names New Chief of Police

Kenmore City Manager Rob Karlinsey has named Brandon Moen as Kenmore’s next Chief of Police, with an effective date anticipated in the first half of November 2019.

Chief Peter Horvath has served as Kenmore’s Police Chief since February 5, 2018 and will be promoted to the rank of Captain in the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO). As a result of his promotion, Chief Horvath will be promoted to another assignment in the KCSO.

The City of Kenmore contracts with the King County Sheriff’s Office to provide high quality and professional law enforcement services to the community. Kenmore’s Chief of Police leads a team of fourteen highly trained officers, including one detective, all assigned solely to the City of Kenmore.

“I’m happy for Chief Horvath and his promotion, but we are going to miss him,” said City Manager Karlinsey. “He has accomplished a lot as Chief and has built meaningful relationships with the community.”

When Chief Horvath’s upcoming promotion was announced, the KCSO sent out a recruitment announcement to the department. Several candidates applied and were interviewed by three panels consisting of local residents, school district representatives, City Councilmembers, police officers, and City staff.

After three rounds of panel interviews and a follow up interview, City Manager Karlinsey selected Brandon Moen to be Kenmore’s next Chief of Police.

A 13-year veteran of the KCSO, Brandon Moen is currently serving as a sergeant in the KCSO and has been assigned to the City of Shoreline since 2016. Prior to his assignment in Shoreline, Sergeant Moen served at the department’s Southwest precinct, and with the KCSO Metro Transit Police. Sergeant Moen was selected as Sergeant of the Year in 2018 for Shoreline and he was awarded KCSO’s Sheriff’s Medal in 2018 for courage and bravery in the line of duty.

Sergeant Moen holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Eastern Washington University, having previously worked in the transportation planning and traffic engineering field.

“I am honored to serve as Kenmore’s next Police Chief,” said Moen. “I started my law enforcement career in Kenmore in 2006, and I’m excited to now have the opportunity to lead such a talented and community oriented team of officers.”

“Sergeant Moen comes highly recommended and brings an excellent set of technical and leadership skills to the table,” said Karlinsey. “We’re glad he chose Kenmore and we look forward to introducing him to the community.”