Michael Ishii
Mike is a retired Police Chief and a seasoned consultant specializing in public safety and government technology. With over three decades of law enforcement experience, he provides expertise in executive leadership, organizational culture, technology integration, and community policing strategies.
Leadership & Law Enforcement Experience
From August 2024 to December 2024, Mike served as the Interim Chief for the Fountain Valley Police Department in Orange County, CA. Prior to this role, he dedicated 32 years to the Hawthorne Police Department (HPD), rising through the ranks and serving as Chief of Police from 2018 to 2022. Throughout his distinguished career, he held various key positions, including Motor Officer, Traffic Investigator, Field Training Officer, Internal Affairs Sergeant, Public Information Officer, Patrol Bureau Watch Commander, and Detective Bureau Commander.
Promoted to Captain in 2010, Mike oversaw both the Administration and Operations Divisions of HPD, as well as the City’s Information Technology Services Bureau. Under Chief Robert Fager’s leadership, he played a pivotal role in transforming HPD into a community policing-driven organization, prioritizing employee empowerment, wellness, and innovation.
As Chief, he spearheaded the Hawthorne Safe Initiative, enhancing safety and engagement in parks, schools, traffic, neighborhoods, and businesses. Additionally, he developed the Care for Blue Initiative, focusing on officer wellness in areas such as mental health, career development, financial planning, and overall health. These initiatives helped the department navigate critical incidents, the pandemic, and nationwide protests, fostering resilience within the organization.
A commitment to innovation led to one of HPD’s most significant organizational advancements—the hiring of the region’s first full-time Medical Director. This initiative expanded paramedic and EMT training within the department, ultimately equipping officers with lifesaving skills and setting a new standard in policing. Today, multiple agencies have partnered with HPD to implement similar programs. Recognition and credit go to Chief Keith Kauffman, ret. who started the program with his forward-thinking vision, and Captain Eric Lane, who continues to oversee the program.
Community Policing & National Programs
Mike played a key role (assisting co-founders Chris Cognac and John Dixon) in the Coffee with a Cop program, helping establish it as one of the most successful community policing initiatives worldwide. Originating at HPD in 2011, the program now spans all 50 U.S. states and 41 countries and is translated into nine languages. Additionally, he developed the National Coffee with a Cop website and launched National Coffee with a Cop Day, observed annually on the first Wednesday of October. With deep expertise in branding, marketing, and global nonprofit management, Mike served as Program Manager for Coffee with a Cop, driving national and international engagement.
Professional Affiliations
Mike is a past member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the California Police Chiefs Association (CPCA), and the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association (LACPCA). He currently serves on the Advisory Board for Carfax for Police and has been a board member of Richstone Family Center, a nonprofit supporting victims of child abuse. Additionally, he is an active member of the National Association of Asian American Law Enforcement Commanders (NAAALEC) and the National Asian Peace Officers Association (NAPOA), mentoring officers for career advancement and leadership development.
Education & Background
Mike holds a Master’s Degree in Negotiation, Conflict, and Management from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Long Beach.
Born in Japan and raised on a U.S. military base near Tokyo, he is fluent in Japanese.
Government Technology & Project Management
With extensive experience in police technology integration, Mike managed city-wide IT operations, regional communications, and software implementations, including CAD/RMS, UAV, ALPR, crime mapping, and investigative software. Having worked closely with both startups and legacy GovTech companies, he brings valuable insights into the complexities of software adoption, implementation, and the role of leadership in technology-driven change.
As a consultant, he advises agencies and technology firms on effective integration strategies, user experience, and long-term success in public safety technology.
Public Speaking & Instruction
A sought-after speaker, Mike has conducted presentations and workshops on community policing, executive leadership, and technology in policing at major organizations, including Nextdoor, Axon, Mark43, LexisNexis, and CARFAX for Police. He has also provided leadership training for police chiefs, command staff, and private sector executives, emphasizing data-driven decision-making, organizational trust, and culture-building.
For over a decade, he has traveled nationwide teaching community policing as part of the Coffee with a Cop program and is an Executive Instructor for the California Police Chiefs Association, educating new police chiefs and command staff on leveraging data for organizational success.
US DOJ COPS Office & Subject Matter Expertise
Mike has collaborated with the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Office on several initiatives, including the Coffee with a Cop community policing workshop and the “Implementing Change” project, which recognized HPD as a national model for policing innovation. As a Subject Matter Expert (SME) with the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR), he provides insights on community policing and law enforcement best practices.
Web Design, Marketing & CRM Expertise
In addition to law enforcement expertise, Mike has designed and managed websites for multiple agencies and organizations, including:
hawthornepolice.com
ridetolive.com
southbaypolicetraining.com
insbjpa.com
hawthornebusinessexpo.org
He also worked with a design firm to develop the branding and websites for Coffee with a Cop (coffeewithacop.com) and Care for Blue (careforblue.com).
With experience in project management, branding, and CRM software, he is proficient in tools such as Monday, Trello, PrimeGov, NeoGov, Basecamp, Mailchimp, and Squarespace, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and outreach.