Police

Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer is retiring at the end of July after a career of more than 30 years in Southeast Alaska law enforcement. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

JPD Chief Ed Mercer retiring

Lifetime Southeast Alaska resident departing July 31 after career of more than 30 years.

Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer is retiring at the end of July after a career of more than 30 years in Southeast Alaska law enforcement. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
The City and Borough of Juneau Harbormaster Enforcement vessel drives past the Dusky Rock which sits at Aurora Harbor. The vessel was towed there from Sandy beach Friday evening after three people died within a three-day period aboard the vessel while anchored offshore. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Three people found dead on boat anchored off Sandy Beach

Drug use a possible factor in deaths of one man and two women during three-day span

The City and Borough of Juneau Harbormaster Enforcement vessel drives past the Dusky Rock which sits at Aurora Harbor. The vessel was towed there from Sandy beach Friday evening after three people died within a three-day period aboard the vessel while anchored offshore. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
JPD Chief Ed Mercer, Officer Kevin Fermin and Deputy Chief David Campbell pose for a group photo on Friday during Fermin’s retirement ceremony at the Juneau Police Department. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

JPD officer retires from department after 25 years

Over the course of a 25-year career with the Juneau Police Department, Officer Kevin Fermin touched lives inside and outside the department, and those contributions… Continue reading

JPD Chief Ed Mercer, Officer Kevin Fermin and Deputy Chief David Campbell pose for a group photo on Friday during Fermin’s retirement ceremony at the Juneau Police Department. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
Buddy, Juneau Police Department’s narcotics dog, plays in a snow pile outside of the Juneau Police Station Tuesday afternoon.

K-9 keeps nose to grindstone as he nears retirement

Buddy continues to play a critical role in drug control in Juneau

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire 
Buddy, Juneau Police Department’s narcotics dog, plays in a snow pile outside of the Juneau Police Station Tuesday afternoon.
Members of the Juneau Police Department pose for a group photo during the annual JPD awards ceremony on Monday. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

JPD honors officers in annual award ceremony

The late Chief Pat Wellington presented with legislative memoriam.

Members of the Juneau Police Department pose for a group photo during the annual JPD awards ceremony on Monday. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
JPD offers Internet Safety class on Feb. 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. as a way of helping parents and caring adults stay informed on how to best keep kids safe online. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
JPD offers Internet Safety class on Feb. 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. as a way of helping parents and caring adults stay informed on how to best keep kids safe online. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the Juneau Police Department station in Lemon Creek. Juneau Police Department Employees Association Board on Thursday made public its concerns with the city's ability to recruit and retain sworn officers. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the Juneau Police Department station in Lemon Creek. Juneau Police Department Employees Association Board on Thursday made public its concerns with the city's ability to recruit and retain sworn officers. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Police investigate death in Lemon Creek area

JPD says death not considered suspicious, and there is no public safety concern.

Emergency lights flash on top of a police car. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A Juneau Police Department vehicle parks in front of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalè on Friday, Sept. 9. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

School officials: JDHS secure after weapon report

Student has been located, police are investigating.

A Juneau Police Department vehicle parks in front of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalè on Friday, Sept. 9. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Chief Ed Mercer presents Robert Partin an award for bravery during the Juneau Police Department’s annual award ceremony on June 9, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Man talks receiving Citizen’s Award for Bravery

Snowy streets and foul weather could have been a recipe for disaster.

Chief Ed Mercer presents Robert Partin an award for bravery during the Juneau Police Department’s annual award ceremony on June 9, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire 
Chief Ed Mercer presents community service officer Sarah Dolan with the Jackie Renninger Community Policing Award during the Juneau Police Department’s annual award ceremony on June 9, 2022.

Police deliver annual awards for officers, community members

Citizens were recognized for their bravery over the last year.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire 
Chief Ed Mercer presents community service officer Sarah Dolan with the Jackie Renninger Community Policing Award during the Juneau Police Department’s annual award ceremony on June 9, 2022.
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)