Public Radio for Alaska's Bristol Bay
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Dillingham jail closed through June due to short staffing

KDLG

The Dillingham Police Department currently is down to one corrections officer until July, when the other officer returns from medical leave. There are several job openings at the station, with three vacancies in corrections.

  The Dillingham Jail is closed until the end of the month due to short staffing at the police department, according to an announcement from the city Tuesday. The city said the jail will not let people serve jail time in Dillingham. It is also closed to people who are arrested in other communities. The Dillingham Police Department will still make arrests when necessary.

The corrections division currently employs two officers. Three positions are vacant -- DPD is hiring for a corrections officer, a dispatcher and a police officer. The city says only corrections one officer is available and the other is away for medical leave until July.

High turnover at the police department is common. In March, Chief Dan Paquirello attributed staffing woes to a lack of funding, competitive benefits and Dillingham's remote location.

Contact the author at tyler@kdlg.org or 907-842-2200

Related Content