As of June 11, John Lucking is no longer Soldotna’s chief of police.
Soldotna mayor Peter Micciche offered no additional details about Lucking’s departure, citing the city’s tendency to handle personnel issues privately.
“The city appreciates the years of service (Lucking) provided as the chief of police,” Micciche said.
Soldotna Police Department hired Lucking as chief of police in Sept. 2003. He is a lifelong Alaskan who holds a degree in criminal justice and electronic technologies from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Sgt. Robb Quelland will serve as acting police chief, and the city plans to advertise the position in the near future, Micciche said.
In Feb. 1992, SPD hired Quelland. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in the fall of 1998. After serving about two years as sergeant in charge of detectives, he currently is assigned to the department’s patrol division. He also worked in the states of Wisconsin and Texas as a police officer. Central Peninsula Hospital awarded Quelland a “commendation for valor” for his actions during a shooting incident at the hospital.
“Soldotna police department is a source of pride to the community,” Micciche said, “and we look forward to continuing positive performance in the future.”
Comments (4)
Add commentLucking Out
Good luck to Lucking and his family. I am thrilled to hear that Rob Quelland has been put in as acting Chief! Rob would make an excellent Chief and I support him 100%!!!
Micciche Honesty is the Best Policy
"Soldotna mayor Peter Micciche offered no additional details about Lucking’s departure, citing the city’s tendency to handle personnel issues privately."
This is our police department, it is not a secret society. This is the second problem with this police department where we were not given the appropriate information. We deserve to know what is going on here. If it is a mental health issue or chemical dependency issue an announcement that a health problem prompted his being taken off the job is all we need to know. Perhaps it was related to the accident in feb. and he sustained an injury that will prevent him from working. The troopers said there was no alcohol, but I know from personal experience some of them lie. If it was misconduct we certainly have a right to know this. If it is some kind of political BS we have a right to know that also. A chief of police is in the same kind of category as a politician in these kinds of matters. Since police corruption in AK is widespread this makes me think you are covering something up.
Let the State Troopers Police Soldotna
Really look at it Soldotna could afford to pay the state of Alaska 1.5 extra a year to add 4 or 6 more troopers and Soldotna would still come out way ahead.
Soldotna is what about 4000 to 4500 people we don't need a whole department when you have the state trooper station right there. It would save a ton of money over all for the city of Soldotna. However it will never be done because it make a lot of since.
Congrats Rob
Good luck to you if you pursue the job fulltime, but I could understand why you wouldnt want it as well......................