Officers on Patrol

The Haines Borough Alaska Official Website

PURPOSE OF PATROL

What is it that police officers are doing when they are cruising around town?  The purpose of police patrol is to protect and serve the community by identifying and addressing threats to public safety, enforcing state statutes, regulations and borough codes, and by assisting citizens, and promoting peace within the community.  Officers patrol the roads looking for rocks that fell off the cliff onto Lutak Road, cars in the ditch during the snowstorms out Mud Bay Road, slick road conditions around town, and hazards caused by illegally parked cars or violations of traffic and vehicle equipment laws.  Police respond to fires, emergency medical calls, and requests for assistance from citizens.  We work closely with the Alaska State Troopers and State Parks to enforce laws and investigate crimes.  

 

PRESERVING PEACE AND DIGNITY

In the Alaska Courts, there is a document called a criminal complaint.  This is a formal document that is served to a defendant who is being charged with a crime.  When the complaint is filled out, it states the name of the accused, the exact statute or regulation that has allegedly been violated and it contains a statement of how the defendant's conduct violated that law.  Part of the language in the criminal complaint says the following...  "this is a violation of AS 28.35.030(a)(1) and is against the peace and dignity of the State of Alaska".  When we are out on patrol, this question is what is going through our mind and determining the focus of our patrol:  What is the greatest threat to the peace and dignity of the good people that live in this community?  Sometimes the answer is drunk drivers.  Sometimes it's motorists speeding through the school zone.  Sometimes it might be issues relating to illegal drugs or domestic violence.  We direct our patrol tactics to address the issues that have the greatest potential to do harm to the residents of Haines and we relentlessly pursue those who put the public at risk.  In a recent survey, it was stated that police officers are expected to perform 1435 tasks in the course of their duty.  We come prepared to do whatever it takes to protect the freedom of the innocent citizens who put their trust in us to keep them safe.

 

PATROL VEHICLES

These vehicles serve as our mobile offices.  They are outfitted with, radars, dash-mounted video and audio recording systems, radios, weapon security systems, and lights and sirens.  These specialized vehicles give us the tools we need to perform our duties in a way that keeps us safe, allows us to communicate effectively with other emergency responders, and document evidence (video and audio recordings.)  Police officers are prepared to respond to a huge variety of incidents including, but not limited to motor vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, crimes of domestic violence, sexual assault, death investigations, bar fights, active shooter incidents, technical / computer crimes, burglaries, robberies, thefts, bears in the trash, wounded moose on the road, mudslides, and parades.  This requires officers to maintain a considerable inventory of equipment and tools.  We also are prepared to address DUI enforcement, traffic violations, and investigations relating to illegal drug use and sensitive investigations requiring careful collection and preservation of various types of evidence.  

 

TRAINING AND EDUCATION

The State of Alaska Department of Public Safety administers two Law Enforcement Training Academies in Sitka each year.  When an officer completes the academy, he or she will have accrued approximately 900 hours of classroom instruction, firearms training, defensive tactics, physical training, emergency vehicle operations, and will have participated in countless training scenarios.  When the recruit returns to Haines, our department administers a 14-week field training program (FTO) in which they are paired with a more experienced officer and given instruction and training on the mechanics of police work here in Haines.  Upon successful completion of the academy and FTO, the officer is ready for patrol.  The Haines Borough provides an additional 80 hours per year of training and education and also offers a program for officers to be reimbursed for qualifying expenses related to pursuing a college degree.  Our staff has attended training seminars in firearms instruction, breath test administration/supervision, interview, and interrogation techniques, DUI enforcement, domestic violence/ sexual assault/stalking, patrol level drug enforcement, evidence handling and preservation, law enforcement management and a variety of other areas in which specified training is beneficial to the department.    Our department offers incentives for advanced training and experience and places value on continuing education.

 

COME AND SEE...

The Haines Borough Police Department offers a citizen ride-along program.  If you would like to witness all of this first hand, call to find out how to participate!