Chief Luke Strait retiring in April 2024

Milwaukie, OR- Milwaukie Police Chief Luke Strait will be retiring from the Milwaukie Police Department on April 5^th. Chief Strait has been with the City of Milwaukie for 29 years and in Public Safety and Law Enforcement for 30.

Chief Strait was hired to the City of Milwaukie’s Police Department in 1995 as a Police Officer assigned to patrol. He was promoted to general assignment detective where he also worked detached with the metro gang task force and was a member of the Clackamas County interagency SWAT. He was promoted to Patrol Sergeant, then Patrol Captain and finally to Chief.

Chief Strait started his tenure as MiPD’s agency head five years ago navigating many changes at the department and in the industry. His efforts included a community engagement police policy and contract review, reinstating second motorcycle traffic enforcement position, representing the Clackamas county police chiefs on the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC). He was the former co-chair with Judge Gilmartin on the CCA Clackamas community alliance to address addiction and overdose and developed new employee community engagement program, pairing community members with new police officers discuss hopes and fears.

Chief Strait initiated Police involvement with DEI and instituted regular bias training with fair and impartial policing which involved community feedback and listening sessions. Chief Strait oversaw many projects to increase police transparency including the implementation of body worn cameras. He was instrumental in the hiring of a behavioral health specialist and building partnerships with LoveOne, Central City Concern, 4D recovery and others designed at supporting unhoused and other vulnerable populations.  Chief Strait worked more definitively to support MiPD’s involvement in interagency missions in Human Trafficking, Theft and Traffic Safety in Milwaukie and throughout Clackamas County.

The City of Milwaukie concluded an internal/external recruitment process and announced Milwaukie Police Captain Ryan Burdick will be promoted to Chief of Police on April 9th. Ryan was hired by MPD in 2002, previously served active duty in the US Army, served in National Guard, has a BA in Accounting from Western Oregon and is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville.

“I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had all the opportunities and experiences I've had, and I've shared them with an amazing group of people. It feels surreal to stop doing something that has thoroughly challenged me and consumed my life since I was 24 years old. I know it's in great hands with the city and the PD. This profession is supposed to be challenging, engaging, and rewarding, as well as slightly terrifying and almost impossible at times. It has been all those things. I feel very blessed as I begin to close out this chapter and start the next. I know I will miss the challenges, the camaraderie, and the relationships of my coworkers with MiPD, the city and community members.” -Chief Luke Strait