Scotts Valley Mayor Derek Timm at the Feb. 17 City Council meeting recognized Scotts Valley Police Department Capt. Mike Dean as the City Employee of 2020.
“He has epitomized excellence and exceptional service in a year that tested everyone, myself included,” Timm said. “He provided a steady hand, zealous protection of our community, and phenomenal leadership… Your endless perseverance through a cascade of challenges was really incredible, Mike.”
The proclamation came on the same day Dean and the rest of SVPD received long awaited pay raises. After months of negotiations, salaries were raised 5 percent and on-call pay increased to $100 per day, amongst other agreements.
According to the mayor’s proclamation, Dean took on multiple roles and duties when attrition winnowed staffing in the department. That included assuming the workload of both Captain and Detective Sergeant, working at the CZU Lightning Complex basecamp to provide protection to Scotts Valley through the wildfire event and shouldering the hiring and recruiting for the department.
“He was instrumental to install enhanced personal protective measures, policies and equipment to keep our officers safe throughout the pandemic,” the proclamation read. “He marshaled in… the largest dispatch system upgrade in over a decade; and, in innumerable ways, he supported the success of the City organization in its most difficult year since its formation in 1966.”
SVPD Chief Steve Walpole said Dean during the seven days of CZU fire evacuations put in almost 100 hours.
“I want to apologize [to his family] that they might not see [Dean] much,” Walpole joked. “Hopefully in 2021 they’ll see him more.”
Dean attributed his success to his colleagues and the mentorship of Chief Walpole.
“I’ve had a wonderful time serving the community,” he said. “I’m going on 29 years now and the honor is all mine.”
