Lt. Mike Turner is the new supervisor for the Oregon State Police office in Newport. He also supervises OSP’s Tillamook station, and is commander for the Lincoln Interagency Narcotics Team (LINT). (Photo by Steve Card)

Lt. Mike Turner assumed new assignment Dec. 1



The Oregon State Police office in Newport is under new leadership. Lt. Mike Turner took over as commander of the station on Dec. 1, replacing Lt. Kelly Collins, who transferred to OSP’s Central Point station as its supervisor.

Turner, 32, has been with the state police since 1996, when he was hired as a seasonal cadet working in Astoria. He was hired as a full time recruit trooper in 1999 and began work in John Day. He later transferred to OSP’s Springfield office, and then in 2005, he was promoted to sergeant and transferred to Portland, working primarily in the Government Camp area. Just prior to his recent move to the Newport office, Turner was a patrol sergeant in Hermiston/Pendleton.

Turner said he sought the position in Newport because of the positive feedback he heard from Collins, who happens to be Turner’s cousin. “I had a lot of background on the office and the area because of Lt. Collins,” said Turner. “He enjoyed his job here and would talk about how he enjoyed it.” When the supervisor position in Newport became available, “I took the opportunity for the promotion and got the job,” said Turner, who was elevated to the rank of lieutenant with this latest transfer.

There are presently 11 patrol troopers working out of the Newport office, along with five fish and wildlife troopers and one fish and wildlife sergeant. “We’re pretty much full staff,” said Turner. “That’s a good staffing level for this office, considering what it’s been in the past.”

When asked if he envisions making any changes, Turner said, “It was a well run office before. Lt. Collins did a good job with the office, so I’ll just continue on with what he’s been doing. Things that I see might be more efficient or a better use of our resources, I’ll implement that, but for the most part, there’s not a lot of changes to be made.”

Turner sees himself as a hands-on supervisor, getting out on patrol himself as much as possible. “I’d like to get out on the road more often, but I get out frequently,” he said. “Any sort of major incident or call that we have here, I’ll respond to. And I try to get out on the major travel days.”

In his new assignment, Turner is also the supervisor for OSP’s Tillamook station, and he makes frequent trips up north to that office. He is the team commander for the Lincoln Interagency Narcotics Team (LINT), as well.

“I look forward to getting to know the community, getting out and meeting people and becoming involved, he said.

Turner, who grew up in Hermiston, said he is also looking forward to experiencing life on the coast. He and his wife, Natallee, have twin five-year-olds.



Steve Card is managing editor for the News-Times. He can be reached at 541-265-8571 ext. 224, or stevecard@newportnewstimes.com.



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