Police

This April photo shows the Juneau International Airport. On Tuesday two Juneau residents were arrested on multiple drug-related charges at the airport. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
This April photo shows the Juneau International Airport. On Tuesday two Juneau residents were arrested on multiple drug-related charges at the airport. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows a Lenco Armored Vehicles BearCat G3. Juneau Police Department is planning to acquire one of the vehicles. Courtesy Photo / Lenco)
This photo shows a Lenco Armored Vehicles BearCat G3. Juneau Police Department is planning to acquire one of the vehicles. Courtesy Photo / Lenco)
A Navy TALON robot examines a simulated vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in front of the Alaska State Capitol on March 10, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A Navy TALON robot examines a simulated vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in front of the Alaska State Capitol on March 10, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau police officers hunkered down next to the berm visible between homes, said an eyewitness, before an officer fired his weapon three times and striking two trailers, mistakenly believing a man having a mental health crisis had a gun on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Police release name of officer who fired weapon during recent incident

The officer being investigated has worked for the department since 2016.

Juneau police officers hunkered down next to the berm visible between homes, said an eyewitness, before an officer fired his weapon three times and striking two trailers, mistakenly believing a man having a mental health crisis had a gun on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department was reaccredited as a department after a multi-year process. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Police department completes reaccreditation process

It took over a year to certify, due to the pandemic.

The Juneau Police Department was reaccredited as a department after a multi-year process. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
The Petersburg Police Department is conducting an investigation into a report that a person identified as an officer of that department made fascist remarks on a social media page. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)

Man no longer employed by Petersburg police after social media post investigation

The comment was made by a profile that listed employer as Petersburg Police Department.

The Petersburg Police Department is conducting an investigation into a report that a person identified as an officer of that department made fascist remarks on a social media page. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
Alaska State Trooper Chris Umbs and Victoria Larson talk to Ethan and Wilbur during the annual Shop with a Cop Event at Fred Meyer on Dec. 18, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Shopping aisle be home for Christmas

Shop with a Cop returns as in-person event.

Alaska State Trooper Chris Umbs and Victoria Larson talk to Ethan and Wilbur during the annual Shop with a Cop Event at Fred Meyer on Dec. 18, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer received the President’s Award for Public Service at the 2021 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, recognizing his contributions to the community. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Juneau police chief recognized at Alaska Federation of Natives convention

The award was for an Alaska Native person who made outstanding contributions to their community.

Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer received the President’s Award for Public Service at the 2021 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, recognizing his contributions to the community. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Lt. Scott Erickson teaches a class on use of force policy to a group of Juneau residents during the Juneau Police Department’s Citizen’s Academy on Nov. 4, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau residents get look at policing with Citizen’s Academy

A handful of Juneau residents are getting up close and learning some of the fine details of the job.

Lt. Scott Erickson teaches a class on use of force policy to a group of Juneau residents during the Juneau Police Department’s Citizen’s Academy on Nov. 4, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire 
Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer said that crime numbers were looking good as Juneau steers its way out of the pandemic.

Police: Crime numbers trend down as Juneau navigates out of pandemic

Property crimes were Juneau’s biggest category for the last several years.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire 
Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer said that crime numbers were looking good as Juneau steers its way out of the pandemic.
A patrol vehicle driven by a Juneau Police Department officer struck a pedestrian on Thursday night, resulting in minor injuries. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau police car strikes pedestrian

The teenager suffered minor injuries but didn’t require hospitalization.

A patrol vehicle driven by a Juneau Police Department officer struck a pedestrian on Thursday night, resulting in minor injuries. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Bodhi Race, 3, beams in the driver’s seat of an emergency vehicle during National Night Out on Tuesday evening. Race was among the children who attended the festivities on Rivercourt Way. Emergency responders, police, animal control officers, firefighters and search and rescue personnel interacted with the community for the annual even. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Bodhi Race, 3, beams in the driver’s seat of an emergency vehicle during National Night Out on Tuesday evening. Race was among the children who attended the festivities on Rivercourt Way. Emergency responders, police, animal control officers, firefighters and search and rescue personnel interacted with the community for the annual even. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Detective Patrick Taylor draws a sidearm-controller Wednesday during a VR training simulation as Sgt. Sterling Salisbury controls the scenario from a computer elsewhere.
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Detective Patrick Taylor draws a sidearm-controller Wednesday during a VR training simulation as Sgt. Sterling Salisbury controls the scenario from a computer elsewhere.
Members of the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs task force arrested a Juneau resident for the possession of methamphetamines worth more than $50,000 on Friday. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Members of the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs task force arrested a Juneau resident for the possession of methamphetamines worth more than $50,000 on Friday. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy photo / Alaska State Troopers
Alaska State Troopers shop for Juneau families at Fred Meyer on Dec. 21 as part of the Alaska Police Officer Association’s annual “Shop with a Cop” event.

Law enforcement officials spread holiday cheer

Distancing didn’t dampen donations or detract from delight.

Courtesy photo / Alaska State Troopers
Alaska State Troopers shop for Juneau families at Fred Meyer on Dec. 21 as part of the Alaska Police Officer Association’s annual “Shop with a Cop” event.
Kelly Michael Stevens, pictured here in 2007, was shot and killed during an encounter with a Juneau Police Department officer on Dec. 29, 2019. The family is filing a wrongful death suit against the JPD, the City and Borough of Juneau, and the officer involved in the shooting. (Courtesy photo / Ben Crittenden)
Kelly Michael Stevens, pictured here in 2007, was shot and killed during an encounter with a Juneau Police Department officer on Dec. 29, 2019. The family is filing a wrongful death suit against the JPD, the City and Borough of Juneau, and the officer involved in the shooting. (Courtesy photo / Ben Crittenden)
Juneau Police Department narcotics dog Buddy and handler Officer Mike Wise pose with Buddy’s new kennel, assembled with funds raised by the Juneau Crime Line. (Courtesy photo / Robin Paul)

Juneau Crime Line helps fund police dog kennel

The police station did not previously have an “office” for the narcotics dog.

Juneau Police Department narcotics dog Buddy and handler Officer Mike Wise pose with Buddy’s new kennel, assembled with funds raised by the Juneau Crime Line. (Courtesy photo / Robin Paul)
The Juneau Police Department, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
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Police announce community game in lieu of National Night Out

The annual August public affair exercise was canceled over coronavirus concerns.

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Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer, left, and Deputy Chief David Campbell, right, pose with Sgt. Nick Garza, center, for Garza's promotion to sergeant on Oct. 14, 2020. (Courtesy photo / JPD)

JPD officer promoted to sergeant

He has been with JPD since 2009.

Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer, left, and Deputy Chief David Campbell, right, pose with Sgt. Nick Garza, center, for Garza's promotion to sergeant on Oct. 14, 2020. (Courtesy photo / JPD)