The Juneau Police Department and Alaska State Capitol Security along with Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians are conducting a scheduled vehicle borne improvised explosive device drill outside the Capitol building from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 10.

No real explosives will be used in the drill, which will involve an inert training aid and a propane truck. The Capitol’s daily business activities will not be impacted, but limited traffic on 4th St. between Main St. and Seward St. is expected.

The Juneau Police Department and the military EOD team are using this training as an opportunity to exchange best practices, and build interagency cooperation.

Navy EOD personnel are in Juneau participating in Exercise Arctic Edge 2022 (AE22). Their team is conducting Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures operations in the Gastineau Channel where they are employing man-machine teaming to ensure maritime freedom of maneuver for friendly forces.

AE22 is a U.S. Northern Command exercise scheduled every two years, first taking place in 2018. It is designed to provide realistic and effective training for participants using the premier training locations available throughout Alaska.

The Juneau Police Department has successfully completed the process for accreditation through the Oregon Accreditation Alliance. Accreditation means that JPD and its operations, management, policies, and procedures meet best practices based on international, national, and state standards. Achieving accreditation was a multi-year process and required being evaluated by an outside independent organization.

“It took a lot of commitment and resources to get here, but I believe the outcome is better serving the Juneau community and creating accountability. The accreditation process forced us to take a close look and get new perspective on how and why we do things certain ways. We identified several things that required attention and many, many more things that we are already doing well,” Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer said. “With accreditation, we hope to gain community trust, as well as employee satisfaction and confidence in their police department, which will go a long way in recruitment. I’m very excited about it”

JPD has previously been accredited through the State of Alaska, but the state program was discontinued several years ago. To receive accreditation through the Oregon Accreditation Alliance, JPD had to show proof of compliance with 105 standards based on best practices nationally and throughout changes in legislation in Alaska and Oregon. Accreditation supports continued improvement of law enforcement services; establishes best practice through professional standards; establishes an agency’s accountability and transparency; and enhances management of overall police operations.

Oregon Accreditation Alliance, formed in 2002, provides accreditation services to 76 law enforcement agencies and 911/communication centers in Oregon and Alaska. JPD is only the second law enforcement agency in Alaska to achieve accreditation through the alliance; the first is Soldotna Police Department. JPD received its initial award of accreditation last September. The department will be up for re-accreditation September 2024, which will require an onsite assessment.

For more information, contact Deputy Chief of Police David Campbell at 907-500-0630 or [email protected].

Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer is receiving the Alaska Federation of Natives 2021 Public Service President’s Award. The honor “recognizes an Alaska Native who has demonstrated dedication, competence, and sensitivity in the area of public service. This award recognizes individuals who have promoted and assisted in the development of their community, or whose accomplishments and leadership qualities have most directly affected and benefited Native peoples,” according to AFN.

“It’s a humbling experience to receive this award and I’m honored, surprised, and grateful,” Chief Mercer said. “I joined law enforcement because I wanted to work with a group of people that serves the public and makes the community better. That’s what we’re here to do – to serve.”

Mercer is the first Alaska Native to lead the Juneau Police Department. He was born and raised in Sitka and is Tlingit, Raven Coho. Mercer’s law enforcement career includes 21 years with the Juneau Police Department.

Being Police Chief means being a role model and building a police force that reflects the community: “There’s not a lot of minorities in law enforcement. I look around and there are a few, but not a lot. I think it says something to young minds and young people to say, ‘You can do this. It is an option.’ I think that is something significant,” Mercer said.

Mercer has worked his way through the ranks, becoming Police Chief in July 2017. His prior JPD positions include Deputy Police Chief, Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant, and Officer. Prior to coming to Juneau, Mercer was a Police Officer in Sitka. He started his police career as a reserve officer in Sitka in 1992, eventually accepting a full time Sitka Police officer position.

Mercer holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Herzing University in Madison, Wisconsin, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He serves on the board for the Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police, Alaska Police Standards Council, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Board, and the FBI CJIS Northwest Group.

Mercer is accepting the AFN Public Service President’s Award via video this afternoon at the virtual AFN Convention. See the agenda here and watch the convention live here.