Gaithersburg Chief of Police Mark Sroka will retire March 6 after 16 years in the role, city officials announced.
Capt. Shawn Eastman, Gaithersburg’s assistant police chief, is scheduled to be sworn in as the new police chief March 2, according to the city.
Sroka originally joined the department in July 2010 in an acting capacity. Before that, he spent 24 years with Maryland State Police.
“We needed help and stability during an unstable period,” Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman, who is a member of the Board of Directors at Montgomery Community Media, said during a city mayor and council meeting Tuesday.
He said Sroka is “one of the best hires this city has made during my tenure.”
The police department grew from 52 to 70 sworn officers under Sroka’s leadership, said Ashman. His work led the department to national accreditation, decreased crime, adoption of officers wearing body cameras and the transition to a new police station.
“Exemplary work during COVID,” said Ashman, who also lauded Sroka’s management around social movements like Black Lives Matter.
“Chief Sroka has become one of the pillars that make Gaithersburg the great place that it is,” Ashman said. “He leaves enormous, giant, big shoes to fill.”
A proclamation to make March 6, 2026 as “Police Chief Mark Sroka Day” in the city has been ordered by the mayor.
City Manager Tanisha Briley echoed the mayor’s sentiments. “Your leadership has shaped the way Gaithersburg understands public safety — rooted in trust, accountability and genuine partnership with our residents,” said Briley.
Addressing the room Tuesday, which included police officers in attendance, Sroka commended the department.
“I admire what you do and I respect what you have done and for what I know that you will continue to do,” Sroka said.
He thanked the mayor, city council and Briley for their faith in him and for supporting the police over the years.
“Throughout my tenure, I’ve never taken that support for granted, because I know that type of support is not common in many places,” he said.
Photo courtesy City of Gaithersburg
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