The Chilkat Valley is trooper-less for the time being after wildlife trooper Colin Nemec relocated last month. Nemec, who has been in Haines since 2020, moved to Juneau but is still answering Haines-area calls.
In response to questions about whether the staffing shift was permanent or if the position would be filled again, Alaska State Trooper spokesperson Austin McDaniel wrote in an email that the state plans to have someone in that position in time for fishing and hunting season openings. He did not specify which ones.
“From time-to-time individual wildlife troopers make decisions to promote, transfer, or leave service for a variety of personal reasons,” McDaniel wrote. “Personnel movement is a common occurrence across our unique area of responsibility and we do not believe that the temporary vacancy will impact the Wildlife Troopers mission in the Haines area.”
McDaniel wrote that troopers are being recruited on an ongoing basis.
“This position may be filled through a direct hire or more likely through the internal transfer of an existing employee,” he said.
Haines Borough Mayor Tom Morphet said Tuesday that there has generally been a four-to eight-month lag between when someone quits or moves away and when a new trooper gets stationed in the region.
“We want to see the position filled as soon as possible,” Morphet said. “It’s not only wildlife they respond to.”
Nemec said via email on Tuesday that he was grateful to have served in Haines and will miss the community, “There have been many good days and many bad days and I’m thankful for the people around me for both.