Crime & Safety
University Place Names Mike Blair New Chief of Police
Blair, who has been the contract's face for months, officially starts his new assignment Monday.
(This is from the City of University Place)
The City of University Place is pleased to announce that U.P. Police’s very own Sgt. Mike Blair has been selected as the new Police Chief. Sgt. Blair will be starting his new assignment on Monday, Sept. 3.
As part of the City of University Place’s contract with Pierce County Sheriff’s Dept, Sheriff Paul Pastor made the final decision based on recommendations from a joint panel and team from Pierce County Sheriff and the City of University Place. The joint selection panel forwarded three final candidates, Lt. Jerry Lawrence, Pierce County Contract Chief Bill Cassio and Sgt. Mike Blair for final selection.
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“We were so fortunate to have a number of very qualified and highly skilled applicants who applied and sought the position,” said City Manager, Steve Sugg. “The City had an outstanding pool of great talent to choose from.”
Sheriff Paul Pastor stated, “All of the candidates under consideration showed tremendous talent and strength. Mike Blair will do an excellent job for the City of University Place.”
Find out what's happening in University Placewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Sgt. Blair is not new to the community. He has been an active leader in the U.P. Police Department, working on the creation of the department’s budget and addressing the City Council about their funding and staffing. He created partnerships with business districts and neighborhood watch programs as well as joined with established partnerships such as the multi-jurisdictional crime reduction program. Sgt. Blair has served as a member of Sheriff Paul Pastor’s Strategic Initiative Team and on his Board of Professional Standards. His awards include the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department Medal of Merit and Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 2010.
“I am looking forward to the continued partnership with the City and the Sheriff's Department over the next decade to continue to provide high level professionalism and quality response to crime in the City of University Place,” shared Sgt. Blair.
More information about the City of University Place is available at www.CityofUP.com.
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