Unalaska Police Blotter Falls Victim to Staffing Shortages
The highly popular police log published by the Unalaska Department of Public Safety won't be appearing anymore in The Bristol Bay Times-Dutch Harbor Fisherman, or anywhere else. At least not until the shorthanded local police department hires more cops, says Deputy Police Chief Jennifer Shockley.
"Right now, we don't have the time to keep up with it," Shockley said. "At this point in time we need to focus on law enforcement."
The weekly account of local police and fire department activity takes between eight and 10 hours to write, review and publish, she said. With full staffing, that's not a problem, but now the police department is operating with 65 percent of positions filled, she said.
At full staffing, there is one deputy police chief, three sergeants and nine officers. Presently, there's Shockley, the deputy chief and three sergeants, but just four regular police officers — plus one who can't work yet solo because he is still in training.
Unalaska police are now actively recruiting in hopes of finding good candidates to work in law enforcement in the Aleutian Islands community. When more officers are hired and the department is at full strength, the police log may return, she said.
So now you know.
10 comments:
I need that job!
Your sense of humor seems to be compatible. Just don't forget that Dep. Chief Shockley is the one who's been writing it for years, so you have to meet her criteria.
Line forms in the rear. :)
I hope they find enough qualified people. I would like to see it again. :-)
You're in good company, Linda. It provided a bright spot amongst all the gloom-and-doom elsewhere.
It always brought a moment of sobering levity to an otherwise insane world.
Agreed; and a welcome respite it was.
Can't they get a grant from the NEA?
I miss it too, although making such clever work seem natural and unforced must be a heck of a job. Hoping they get their staffing soon.
Wait!! You signed off Rev!! I have been experiencing 'Alaska' withdrawal ever since!! Nice to see your back!!
Ed, the lefty loons at the NEA would never consider police work to be "art"; I'm certain they think it's a Gestapo tactic.
threecollie, agreed & agreed!
maddmedic, I'm not back full-time, but thank you. :)
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