The force is with them

HOUSTON — It seems the tiny Houston Police Department’s hiatus was short-lived.

Houston’s only officer, Jason Holmgren, resigned last month citing his family’s needs and the better benefits package offered by the Wasilla Police Department.

Holmgren had been Houston’s only officer since the departure of Capt. John Rhyshek in mid-May. Rhyshek founded the department seven years ago and was for some time the only sworn officer in the city. He left under the leadership of then-mayor Sandy McDonald without much public explanation

As of last week, two new officers have arrived at the department. Charlie Seidl comes to Houston following a six-year stint as a police officer in Dillingham. Elizabeth Carrier comes to Houston from Sand Point.

Houston Mayor Roger Purcell said the hiring process worked out as he’d suspected. Officers in Alaska’s far-flung municipalities can be drawn to a department, even one as small as Houston’s, if it’s closer to modern conveniences accessible by road.

There’s something to be said for having a readily accessible jail, courthouse and hospital, as well as shopping and entertainment available on officers’ off hours, Purcell said.

Both Seidl and Carrier were hired as officers. Purcell said that as mayor, by city codes he heads the police department. But that doesn’t mean he’ll be micromanaging or delving into the department’s daily affairs.

That also doesn’t mean the city isn’t looking for someone qualified to take the captain’s seat Rhyshek vacated, Purcell said.

“We want it to be the right person,” he said.

In the past, Purcell has said his preference would be for a seasoned officer with many years of experience, perhaps someone who’s looking for a change of pace or a retired officer from a larger agency who is still seeking to stay active.

Once Carrier and Seidl are up to speed and out on patrol, Purcell said the city will offer seven-day-a-week police service. With two officers, that means not all hours in the day will see HPD on patrol. Purcell said at those times Alaska State Troopers will cover the area.

The new officers were going through various training courses and learning the ropes this past week — how the city conducts police work and what areas they patrol. They’re meeting with the Palmer District Attorney and dispatchers at Wasilla’s Mat-Com dispatch center.

They also spent some time on the Anchorage Police Department firing range.

“I went down to APD and shot with them,” Purcell said. Not to brag, he said, but the mayor said his pistol skills haven’t gotten rusty since his own days as a cop.

Purcell said that while both Carrier and Seidl have been through the state’s public safety academy — a certification that’s transferable from one department to the next — the training sessions are vital.

“There should never be a time when a police officer is (just) handed a badge and a gun and let out onto the streets,” he said.

Another change he’s implemented is that Houston officers will be required to live in Houston. Purcell said he wants to make sure they’re a part of the community, living next to the people they’re serving.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.