North Slope Borough police chief resigns

TAMAR BEN-YOSEF
sounder@alaskanewspapers.com

March 24, 2008 at 1:02PM AKST

Donald Grimes, chief of the North Slope Borough Police Department for the last 19 years, has resigned effective May 2.

Capt. Kelly Alzaharna, a 17-year-plus member of the department, will come in as Grimes’ replacement after an official confirmation of her appointment at the Borough Assembly meeting April 8, according to a statement by the North Slope Borough.

In a written statement, Mayor Edward Itta said that Grimes was not asked to resign because of any violation of department regulations or protocol.

“Don has been a loyal soldier for the past two years,” Mayor Itta said.

“He is responsible for a lot of improvements in the department, including an emphasis on community-oriented policing with special attention to the villages. He has done a lot of good here,” Itta said.

The department was the subject of complaints from a few residents after police investigated an assault in Barrow last October.

Itta received a letter from the family of Isaac W. Leavitt and Christopher R. Leavitt, who were involved in an incident of burglary and assault on Brady J. Grimes.

The letter contained allegations of police misconduct during the investigation and alleged nepotism was involved as Brady Grimes was related to Chief Grimes and his daughter Officer Gwen Grimes.

Itta authorized a formal review of the incident.

An Anchorage law firm specializing in police practices and standards was hired to assess the criminal incident and the department’s handling of the subsequent investigation.

The firm concluded that none of the allegations could be substantiated.

Nevertheless, the mayor said he felt community trust could be compromised by the chief’s family connection to two of his officers.

After Itta and Grimes discussed the matter, the police chief agreed to resign.

While the borough does have a personnel ordinance that prohibits a supervisor or director from hiring his immediate family, that ordinance holds true only in a case where federal or state money is involved, according to Harold Curran, special assistant to the mayor.

However, the borough’s police department is funded by borough money, meaning the chief was not in violation of the ordinance, Curran said.

In a memo to borough employees, the mayor complimented Grimes for his accomplishments and dedication to the job, and praised Alzaharna for the experience she has gained during her rise through the ranks of the department. 

“I feel fortunate to have a strong successor who is willing and able to step up to the position of police chief,” Itta said.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my 19-plus years with the police department and leave with many good memories and friends,” Grimes said in a letter to his department.

“I especially have enjoyed the opportunity to serve as chief of police and direct some changes that I felt would benefit all of our employees as well as the future of the police department,” Grimes’ statement continued.

“I can honestly say that, without exception, the changes that we made were all designed to promote stability, efficiency, respect, value, empowerment and accountability within the department,” his statement said.

Grimes said he strongly believes that the implementation of the community oriented policing concept will be the most effective means to bring about safe communities.

Alzaharna already has begun her new position as chief. In a memo to the department, she said she fully supports and is an advocate of the community oriented policing philosophy.

She said she plans for the department to continue in that light.

“During his tenure as chief, Don most notably brought the village rotational program in to full swing, equity to the police officer pay rate, and presented a new department image to the public, increasing their trust in us and willingness to help us resolve community issues,” Alzaharna said.