About Ketchikan Police Department
About Us:
Welcome to the Ketchikan Police Department, where our commitment to community safety is unwavering, and as the primary law enforcement agency in this picturesque Alaskan community, we take pride in fostering a safe and secure environment for all residents and visitors.
Mission Statement:
It is the mission of the Ketchikan Police Department, together with all the residents of the City, to make
our community as safe place within which to live and work.
Department Structure
Administration & Leadership: The Administration Division consists of the Chief of Police, Deputy Chief, Administrative Lieutenant, Investigations Lieutenant, Dispatch Supervisor, and Administrative Assistant. This group, managed by the Chief of Police, provides overall supervision to law enforcement officers, dispatch services & all other personnel. The Administrative staff is dedicated to supporting the mission of the Ketchikan Police Department by providing the necessary resources, and organizational oversight required to maintain a strong foundation that supports our officer’s focus of protecting and serving the community.
Patrol Division: The Patrol Division; supervised by the Deputy Chief is responsible for maintaining a visible and proactive presence throughout the City of Ketchikan. A total of 16 uniformed Officers are assigned to the division. Four teams, each led by a Sergeant work 12 hour shifts that rotate every 2 months. These dedicated Officers provide 24-hour coverage where they conduct routine patrols, engage with community members and respond promptly to all emergency situations. Additionally, the patrol division officers have other assignments such as the School Resource Officer Program, Mtn. Bike Patrol Unit, and Canine Handler.
School Resource Officers: The School Resource Officer is a community-oriented policing program which treats the local High School as a distinct neighborhood with a police officer assigned to the school. It is a cooperative effort on the part of the police department and the school district to make the police officer more available and responsive to the "community" of the school population. The officer is also there to help prevent problems, which detract from the schools primary goal of educating youth.
The program has five main objectives:
Assistance and support to students and faculty during times of stress and crisis
Education of youth regarding the role of laws, courts, and the police in society
A safe environment for youth in the school with protection from trespassers
Prevention of crime and delinquent behavior in the school
Investigation of criminal cases involving juveniles and use of effective alternatives to charges whenever possible
Mountain Bike Patrol Unit: In 1988, Seattle Police Officer Paul Grady and his partner rolled out of Police Headquarters in downtown Seattle on their Raleigh Mountain Bikes to begin the first police mountain bike patrol. In 1990, Sergeant Grady came to Ketchikan to train the first mountain bike patrol unit in the State of Alaska, the team of the Ketchikan Police Department. Six of the original eight members of Ketchikan's unit rode Raleigh Instincts that they had purchased themselves. Since the unit began in 1990, each member has personally purchased his or her own bicycle as well as most of the other specialized equipment required for the unit. The only equipment purchased with tax dollars has been helmets, tires, and equipment K-9 & Canine Handler: Our four-legged officer is an integral part of the Department. This unit plays a vital role in various operations including drug detection, search and rescue, and apprehension of suspects. This highly trained canine team consists of one patrol officer and their canine. Together they enhance our capabilities in safeguarding the community.
Investigations Division: The Investigations Division; supervised by the Investigations Lieutenant is primarily responsible for investigating crimes against children, drug crimes, white-collar crimes, and computer crimes. The division also provides investigative support to the Patrol Division for more complex incidents. Staffed by three detectives & the evidence custodian, this unit works collaboratively with the South East Alaska Cities against Drugs task force and the Alaska State Troopers Drug Investigation Unit.
Emergency Dispatchers: The central dispatch center is the primary answering point for all 911 calls originating on Revilla or Gravina Islands. Dispatchers route emergency calls to the appropriate responding agencies, providing dispatching services to not only Ketchikan Police but also to the Ketchikan Fire Department and both North & South Tongass Volunteer Fire Departments. Supervised by 1 Dispatch Supervisor, this division staffs 8 full time and multiple temporary employees. The call center is open 24- hours a day for emergency and non-emergent telephone or walk-in support.
Parking Enforcement: The Parking Enforcement Division of the Police Department is responsible for providing fair and equitable enforcement of the portions of the Ketchikan Municipal Code and state law, Those areas of enforcement include overtime violations, illegal parking, abandoned vehicles, and other violations of the parking laws.
Other Information:
Found Property: Found Property items such as wallets, cellphones, jewelry, & other items of significance are often turned into the Police Department. If you have lost an important item you may call dispatch to inquire if it has been turned in.