Police

A row of tents on Teal Street across the street from the Glory Hall on the morning of Saturday, May 14, 2025. Occupants of the tents received a 48-hour vacate notice from the Juneau Police Department on Friday morning. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Large homeless encampment on Teal Street gets JPD vacate notice; where will occupants go next?

People who keep moving from place to place under “dispersed camping” policy unsure where they’ll go.

 

National Guard members put on hazmat suits before entering the simulation area on Monday, June 9, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)

National Guard exercise begins simulation of foreign terrorist attacks

Operation ORCA brings 100 personnel to Juneau, disrupts traffic around Capitol

 

Blake Byers discusses the ransacking of his boat at a downtown Juneau dock on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Beach artist between a rock and a hard place as summer plans wrecked by boat burglary

Blake Byers, who created giant model from beach rocks, says he will spend summer gillnetting to earn money.

 

The Southeast Alaska village of Metlakatla is seen in an undated photo. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

Alaska state judge dismisses murder case, citing widespread misconduct by local police

State’s top prosecutor says she’s suspending most work with Metlakatla police Department until issues are addressed.

The Southeast Alaska village of Metlakatla is seen in an undated photo. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)
Members of the Ohio National Guard participate in the Operation ORCA exercise in June of 2023 in Wasilla. (Dana Rosso / Alaska National Guard)

Emergency simulation uses Juneau’s landscape to prepare for national threats

Alaska National Guard ORCA Exercise may disrupt community, but increases response readiness.

Members of the Ohio National Guard participate in the Operation ORCA exercise in June of 2023 in Wasilla. (Dana Rosso / Alaska National Guard)
Juneau law enforcement officers stand in formation while Alaska Wildlife Trooper Sgt. Branden Forst reads the names of Southeast Alaska’s fallen officers on Friday, May 16, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Fallen officers remembered in annual ceremony during National Police Week

Memorial recognizes their sacrifice and the highest officer assault rate in the past decade.

Juneau law enforcement officers stand in formation while Alaska Wildlife Trooper Sgt. Branden Forst reads the names of Southeast Alaska’s fallen officers on Friday, May 16, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The roundabout at the intersection of Mendenhall Loop Road and Stephen Richards Memorial Drive on Monday morning after it was reopened following a shooting between two men in vehicles shortly after midnight. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Motorist fatally shoots driver he says was threatening him with a gun at Mendenhall Valley roundabout

Shooter released after initial JPD investigation; 16-year-old victim had pellet/BB-style CO2 rifle

The roundabout at the intersection of Mendenhall Loop Road and Stephen Richards Memorial Drive on Monday morning after it was reopened following a shooting between two men in vehicles shortly after midnight. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

66% drop in reported drug crimes first half of ‘24, staffing woes continue, JPD states in annual report

Decline in drugs cases reflects shift to larger cases that take more time to investigate, chief says.

Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Law enforcement officers from several agencies accompanied by local youths purchase Christmas gifts at Fred Meyer on Saturday during the annual Shop With a Cop event. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

In the presents of peace officers: Record-high 61 kids pick out gifts in annual Shop With A Cop

Officers from multiple agencies help pick out and wrap gifts for 32 families Saturday.

Law enforcement officers from several agencies accompanied by local youths purchase Christmas gifts at Fred Meyer on Saturday during the annual Shop With a Cop event. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

JPD’s daily incident reports getting thinner and vaguer. Why and does it matter?

Average of 5.12 daily incidents in October down from 10.74 a decade ago; details also far fewer.

Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The drive-through of the Mendenhall Valley branch of True North Federal Credit Union, seen on June 13, is where a man was laying down when he was fatally struck by a truck during the early morning hours of June 1. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police: Driver of CBJ truck not at fault in death of man struck in drive-through lane of bank

Victim laying on pavement during early-morning incident in June couldn’t be seen in time, JPD chief says.

The drive-through of the Mendenhall Valley branch of True North Federal Credit Union, seen on June 13, is where a man was laying down when he was fatally struck by a truck during the early morning hours of June 1. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The Juneau Police Department’s wellness room, seen on Friday, offers a retreat from stress. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

The work of the Juneau Police Department’s Wellness Program is never done

JPD destigmatizes mental health needs of officers, who also get crisis and de-escalation training.

The Juneau Police Department’s wellness room, seen on Friday, offers a retreat from stress. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

JPD: Washington state woman arrested at Juneau airport with about $100K of illegal drugs

38-year-old suspect confronted by police Thursday moring after her arrival from Seattle

(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
This screenshot from a body camera video was attached to criminal charging documents published Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, by the Alaska Department of Law. It shows an Alaska State trooper kicking a man in May 2024. The trooper and one other have been charged with misdemeanor assault. (Screenshot)

Alaska Department of Law charges two state troopers after bloody arrest in Kenai

Officers pepper-sprayed man, directed a dog to bite him, shocked him with a Taser and kicked him.

This screenshot from a body camera video was attached to criminal charging documents published Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, by the Alaska Department of Law. It shows an Alaska State trooper kicking a man in May 2024. The trooper and one other have been charged with misdemeanor assault. (Screenshot)
Firefighter Sylvester Olivares-Ramos bows down to give the U.S. Coast Guard softball team their first-place trophy in the Alaska Peace Officer Association’s charity softball tournament on Saturday that fundraises for Special Olympics Alaska. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Charity softball tournament catches more than $1,000 for Special Olympics Alaska

Alaska Peace Officers Association Capital City Chapter hosts “Guns Versus Hoses Charity Softball”

Firefighter Sylvester Olivares-Ramos bows down to give the U.S. Coast Guard softball team their first-place trophy in the Alaska Peace Officer Association’s charity softball tournament on Saturday that fundraises for Special Olympics Alaska. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department station in Lemon Creek. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

JPD: Callers pretending to be police, court officials are scamming locals out of thousands of dollars

People often told to pay a fine online to avoid arrest for missing jury duty, officials say.

The Juneau Police Department station in Lemon Creek. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
A memorial started on Front Street in downtown Juneau for 35-year-old Juneau resident Steven Kissack, who was experiencing homelessness, grows on Thursday with food donations and suicide hotline information. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

As the death investigation of Steven Kissack begins, special prosecution office explains its process

Reviews can be lengthy, information limited to ensure due process, Department of Law leaders say

A memorial started on Front Street in downtown Juneau for 35-year-old Juneau resident Steven Kissack, who was experiencing homelessness, grows on Thursday with food donations and suicide hotline information. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Two people arrested at Juneau residence after receiving package with $65,700 of suspected illegal drugs

JPD: Drug investigators intercepted package, then delivered it after inspecting contents.

(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police: Death of man from gunshot wound near glacier not suspicious

Body discovered along roadside on Wednesday morning, with weapon next to him.

Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
House Rules Committee Chair Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, speaks in favor of House Bill 135 on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in the Alaska House. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Alaska House votes to give police warrantless emergency access to cellphone location data

Lawmakers pass other bills, on storage rentals, fireworks rules, telemedicine and federal lands.

House Rules Committee Chair Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, speaks in favor of House Bill 135 on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in the Alaska House. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)