By Jenna Kunze

Haines Borough Police Chief Scott is one of three applicants being considered for campus police chief at University of Alaska at Anchorage.

Scott, whose three-year contract in Haines is up July 18, applied for the job in January and was shortlisted for an in-person interview on March 29. Thirteen applied for the position, according to Kirstin Olmstead, university public relations manager.

“I think it’s healthy for one to see what else is out there,” Scott said. “My primary reason for doing that is that I’m concerned that the department’s budget is not being taken seriously.”

Last month, Scott asked the borough assembly to increase the police budget— already up by $37,826 to a total of $992,979— to allow hire of a fifth officer. 

Assembly member Tom Morphet is not sold on the increase, and said there is a problem with poor management that has allowed the department to “grossly exceed its budget” for two of the past three years.

Scott is up against Michael Beckner and Jeff Earle for the university position.

Beckner has served as the interim police chief at UAA since September, when his predecessor retired. He has 10 years of experience as a detective with the university police department.

Earle has worked in university law enforcement in Texas for more than 18 years. He has directed the emergency management program at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio since 2017.

The UAA chief of police is a senior administrative position, with salary range between $91,786 and $126,206, according to the university. Last year, Scott was paid $99,840 plus benefits.

The university hopes to fill the position “soon,” Olmstead said this week.