Port Orchard will be keeping its top cop. Chief Matt Brown was a finalist for the same position in the city of Lakewood but was edged out by Patrick D. Smith, former chief of the Birmingham department, Lakewood officials said Feb. 3.

“I’m very happy for Lakewood. They have an excellent person,” Brown said. “I’m also extremely happy to still be in Port Orchard. I’m not out looking for anywhere to go. That was truly the one place I’d put in for. I get to stay at the place that I love.”

He said he’s proud of his team in Port Orchard, as it was able to become accredited in a short period of time. He’s glad to be getting new more officers and for the support of the City Council and mayor. “And, we have a great relationship with our community,” he said.

Brown was one of six finalists. He had close ties to Lakewood as that is where he began his law enforcement career. He was one of the original members when the LPD formed in 2004. While with the Lakewood force he served in various leadership and investigative roles, being a sergeant, and a member of vice, narcotics, property crimes, patrol, court security and SWAT.

Later in his career, he became Poulsbo’s deputy police chief before going to Port Orchard in 2019.

Brown is on the executive board of the Kitsap County Law and Justice Council and the Kitsap Critical Incident Response Team. He chairs the county Law Enforcement Executive Group, is on the Strategic Advisory Board to Kitsap-911, and is president of the FBI National Command Course Association. He chairs the Professional Services Committee for the state Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and serves as a state-wide accreditation assessor and mentor.

The Lakewood Police Department is one of the largest in the state with more than 100 officers and several specialized units.