Deputy Chief Michelle Richter is a 30 year police department veteran. She holds a Master's Degree in Public Service Management from Cumberland University. She is also a graduate from the FBI National Academy, the Northwestern Police Staff and Command School, and SMIP (Senior Management Institute for Police). During the last eighteen years she has served in the following roles: the Hermitage Precinct Commander, the West Precinct Commander, the Captain over the Central Records Division, Domestic Violence Division/Family Intervention Program, and Deputy Chief Investigative Services Bureau. She is currently serving as the Deputy Chief over the Administrative Services Bureau.

In 2016 she participated in the establishment of Dando Valor, a multidisciplinary team consistency of Latino members from MNPD and the DA’s office, in an effort to increase an improved coordinated community response within those communities. She also established the Family Intervention Program by consolidating the services of the Victim Intervention Program and DV counselors by bringing them together under one umbrella to improve services. Furthermore, she introduced the "Handle with Care" program within MNPD to support children exposed to traumatic events, including those who have witnessed domestic violence. She also led the way for the implementation of the Lethality Assessment Program and VAPIT (Vulnerable Adult Protective Investigative Team) within the police department along with increased training topics surrounding the elderly, trauma informed care, and adverse childhood experiences.

On May 1, 2022 she started her new role overseeing the Forensic Services Division, Human Resources, Central Records, Behavioral Health and Wellness Services, the Training Academy and Recruitment.