Sergeant Matt Scales has been appointed to a captain's position with the McMinnville Police Department. He replaces Rob Edgell, who retired at the end of August, after more than 26 years with the department. Scales has been serving as interim captain.

He and Sgt. John Hutchings of Washington's Olympia Police Department were finalists. A third finalist dropped out of the running. Ten individuals originally applied for the position, and they hailed from throughout the United States.

The hiring process included an evaluation of written materials, an employee interview panel, a combined citizen/professional interview panel and an interview with Police Chief Ron Noble.

"Matt brings a capacity for collaboration and the building of trust throughout the organization, and I am confident that he will continue to help lead us into the future," Noble said.

Scales, a 1988 graduate of Gresham High School and a 1993 graduate of the University of Portland with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, was hired as a McMinnville police officer in 1993.

He and his wife, Jill, have three children.

See Wednesday's print edition of the News-Register for additional details.