Battle Ground Police Department swears in new lieutenant

Mike Fort joined the Battle Ground Police Department this month as a new lieutenant for the department.

Fort, who comes to Battle Ground after 26 years with the Portland Police Bureau, took his oath of office March 5.

While in Portland, Fort worked in the bureau’s Youth Services Division, served as patrol watch commander, was a member of the Rapid Response Team, worked in the traffic division’s motorcycle detail, planned law enforcement details for special events and most recently served in the Standards and Accountability Unit, according to the Battle Ground Police.

Fort grew up on a farm in Texas and attended Texas A&M University. He moved to the Northwest in 1988 and earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Spanish from Western Oregon University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and in 2016 earned a Graduate Certificate of Achievement in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia.

“Mike’s wealth of experience is a great benefit to the department,” Police Chief Bob Richardson said in a department news release. “He has quickly become an integral part of our leadership team as we continue to move the department forward to serve the community.”

At his formal swearing-in, Fort’s wife, Lisa, accompanied him, as did his father, George, who pinned the Battle Ground Police Department badge on Fort’s uniform.

Fort lives in northern Clark County and enjoys fishing, backpacking, snowshoeing, biking, motorcycling, running and camping. Fort and his wife have a small farm where they raise beef cattle.