Lt. Bill Mills, right, and Officer Jordan Welch are on the beat in Haines temporarily. (Jillian Rogers)
Two police officers from Hoonah are on the job in Haines temporarily. They showed up last week on short notice and are greatly needed, according to interim borough manager Brad Ryan.
Lt. Bill Mills and Officer Jordan Welch are helping out for a while and were introduced at a recent assembly meeting. Sgt. Josh Dryden was flying solo for a week or so after Haines’ newest officer, Brayton Long, accidentally shot himself in the hand while participating in a training exercise. Dryden is also currently the acting police chief.
At the assembly meeting, Deputy Mayor Diana Lapham said Dryden and Ryan “grabbed the bull by the horns” to recruit help in a timely manner.
“To have another community help us out when we have needed and when we need the help, for however long we need it, is tremendous,” said Lapham.
Mills and Welch are based in Hoonah but are on a rotating schedule, filling in in various Southeast communities when needed.
Ryan added that Officer Long is back at the station on light duty and is recovering well.
Meanwhile, a candidate for a permanent officer position is being considered. Chris Brown is from Washington and, if hired, could be on the Haines force by the end of the month.
