Dean Chrestenson

Detective Dean Chrestenson is a 17 year veteran of the Missoula Police Department. He is currently assigned to the Detective Division with an emphasis in Prescription Drug Related Cases and Crimes against Persons. He has been with the Detective Division for the past 11 years. He is an instructor in Interview and Interrogation and also specializes in cases that involve Abusive Head Trauma to children. Dean's current assignment is as a task force officer with the DEA/Missoula HIDTA Drug Task Force.

Dean grew up in Missoula and then joined the United States Navy in 1986. He moved to Cheyenne Wyoming in 1990 where he worked as a Patrolman. He then moved back to Montana in 1996 where he worked as the Chief of Police in St. Ignatius, Montana for three years. He was hired by the Missoula Police Department in 1999 and has worked in several areas of the department such as the Target Gang Enforcement Unit, Civil Defense Unit, Field Training Officer and currently as Detective. Dean has been a member of MVCIA since 2007 and a board member since 2008 serving in various positions.