After tendering his resignation in May, officer Brayton Long has decided to stay with the Haines Borough Police Department.
Interim chief Josh Dryden said Long is taking about a month off before returning to the force.
“We talked it out and I think he really wants to stay,” Dryden said. “I think he was just kind of tossing some ideas around and wrote that resignation letter and regretted it.”
Long’s last day in uniform was during Beer Fest weekend. After a trip with his family, he will return to the job on June 27, Dryden said.
“(Long) does a great job. He is a good police officer. I am happy he is staying,” he said.
Long’s decision to stay keeps the current force at four: Dryden, Long, officer Chris Brown and officer Jordan Welch. Welch’s last day on the force is June 18.
Police chief candidate Heath Scott has accepted the position, but has yet to negotiate a contract with the borough.
“Those negotiations could still break down,” Dryden said.
Dryden recently applied for a U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services three-year grant, which if secured would help pay for a fifth officer.
The Haines department is still accepting applications to amass a pool of candidates in case the grant comes through, Dryden said.