Kent-Meridian graduate becomes new Covington police chief

The city of Covington has named Megan Roberts, a 1996 graduate of Kent-Meridian High School, as its new police chief.

Roberts, who lives in Covington and grew up in the Kent area, replaces Andy McCurdy, who retired in July, according to an Aug. 11 city statement.

Roberts’ mother and grandmother were each teachers at Covington Elementary School, specifically in the building that existed on the site where the Covington Police Department is located.

“I think it’s really cool things have come full circle,” Roberts said. “I’m really glad to serve the community I am from.”

Roberts was hired full time by the King County Sheriff’s Office in 2000 and has worked several different assignments, including patrol in the White Center/Skyway area and as a detective for the Maple Valley precinct and the Metro Transit Contract.

She was promoted to sergeant in 2012 and has worked both as a patrol sergeant and as the department coordinator for training of all newly hired deputies. Roberts accepted a position with Covington Police Department in 2019 and worked closely with Chief McCurdy until his retirement.

Covington, which has a population of about 20,500, contracts with the King County Sheriff’s Office for police services. The city has 17 officers, including one chief, one sergeant, one school resource officer, one traffic officer, one detective and 12 patrol officers, according to the city’s website.

Roberts attended Central Washington University in Ellensburg and graduated with a degree in political science in 1999. While attending Central, she volunteered as a domestic violence advocate at the local shelter and eventually became a reserve deputy with the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office.

McCurdy became chief in 2015 after Kevin Klason retired.