Michael Ishii is a retired Police Chief and consultant specializing in public safety and government technology. From August 2024 to January 2025, he served as Interim Police Chief for the Fountain Valley Police Department in Orange County, CA.
Previously, he spent 32 years with the Hawthorne Police Department, serving as Chief from 2018 to 2022. During his tenure, he helped transform the department into a community policing-driven organization focused on employee empowerment, officer wellness, and innovation. He spearheaded the Hawthorne Safe Initiative, enhancing public safety in parks, schools, neighborhoods, traffic, and businesses. He launched Care for Blue, a wellness program supporting mental health, career development, financial planning, and physical well-being. Under his leadership, HPD became the first agency in the region to hire a full-time Medical Director and implement a paramedic and EMT training program for officers, significantly improving emergency response capabilities. These initiatives strengthened departmental culture, resilience, and public trust, positioning HPD as a leader in innovative policing.
Mike is currently an Instructor for the California Police Chiefs Association (CPCA) Executive Leadership Program. He is also a member of the National Association of Asian American Law Enforcement Commanders (NAAALEC), where he provides career guidance, leadership training, and mentorship to its members, helping to cultivate the next generation of law enforcement leaders.
Mike also serves on the Advisory Board for Carfax for Police, offering expertise on data-driven law enforcement strategies and technology integration. Additionally, he is a subject matter expert in community policing with the U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), contributing to national policing initiatives.
Mike received his MA from California State University Dominguez Hills in Negotiation, Conflict/Management, and BA from California State University Long Beach in Communication Studies - Interpersonal and Organizational Communication.
Mike was born in Japan and grew up on a US military base near Tokyo. He is fluent in Japanese.
