Milwaukie Police Department pulls from own ranks in naming new Captain and Sergeant

Bringing a combined 39 years of experience with the Milwaukie Police Department to their new roles, Mark Dye was sworn in as Captain, and Luke Strait was sworn in as Sergeant at a special ceremony on April 14, 2014 at the Milwaukie Public Safety Building. Dye and Strait were recognized at the April 15, 2014 City Council meeting in City Hall.

Police Chief Steve Bartol pointed to not just Dye and Strait’s years of experience, but their varied duties over those years, as the primary reasons behind their promotions.

“Mark and Luke have a wide a range of experience – as patrol officers, general assignment detectives, as members of interagency investigative units, and as members of the Interagency Major Crimes Team,” Chief Steve Bartol said. “They have seen and done a lot, and will be able to relate directly with the officers they’re supervising.”

Captain Dye joined the Milwuakie Police Department in 1994 and Sergeant Strait joined the following year. Bartol said Dye and Strait apply an even-keeled approach to their duties.

“They both have strong, steady, low-key personalities that keep them calm in crisis situations,” Bartol said. “It helps them provide good, strong leadership.”

The promotions were set in motion when City Manager Bill Monahan promoted Bartol from Captain to Chief in late February. With these latest promotions, Bartol will move to fill a Detective Sergeant and Detective position.

“These new appointments give our force an opportunity to grow and expand its collective knowledge, skills and abilities,” Bartol said. “Investing in our officers’ career development helps us keep the good officers we have.”