Former U.P. Police Chief Rob Masko passed away on Sept. 13. Masko was U.P.’s second police chief, serving from 2001 through 2005 before he was tasked with running the Pierce County jail.
During his tenure in U.P., Masko ushered in the City’s Community Oriented Policing mission and integrated it into all police-public interactions and programming. He also developed a Youth Intervention & Early Out program to address juvenile concerns in the community.
Masko retired as Undersheriff for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department after 37 years of service. During his retirement, he volunteered on U.P.’s ad hoc Public Safety Levy Committee to advocate for enhanced public safety funding in the city.
“Chief Masko loved his work in U.P.,” said Jen Hales, the City’s public safety director. “And for those of us who worked with him, he was a delight. He was a great leader and hard worker with an infectious laugh who could bring teams together to get things done. He will be missed.”