By Jasz Garrett
Juneau, Alaska (KINY) – The Juneau Police Department has a new official police chief and deputy chief after four months of acting chiefs filling the roles. Chief Derek Bos and Deputy Chief Krag Campbell were sworn into their positions on Friday afternoon.
Chief Bos and Deputy Chief Campbell were two of three finalists for the position of Juneau’s police chief. They both participated in public town halls and interviews as part of the selection process.
The ceremony Friday was led by Deputy City Manager Robert Barr and was officiated by City Manager Katie Koester. Koester read the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics aloud. She thanked the officers for continuing to serve Juneau despite being understaffed. Koester also recognized Lieutenant Jeremy Weske for serving as acting chief after former Police Chief Ed Mercer retired on July 31.
Chief Bos was sworn in by Koester. He said he’s happy to be in Juneau and that he enjoys the outdoors, and maybe more importantly, the snow.
“I would just like to say I am very excited to be here and for this opportunity to be not only leading but become a part of the team at the Juneau Police Department. It’s been a great adventure for my family and I just in the last two weeks, we’re enjoying all the snow,” Chief Bos said. “So, I know some of you don’t, but we love it. So, it’s been just a wonderful welcome and a great community already. So, thank you very much for this opportunity.”
Chief Bos began his law enforcement journey in 1999 when he put himself through a police academy at a local community college in Colorado. After graduating from the academy with honors, he spent 2 years attending college full-time and then accepted a position as a Deputy Sheriff with the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado.
In 2004 he returned to college, and in 2006 completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from Dordt College in Iowa. After completing his bachelor’s degree, Chief Bos returned to Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, where he advanced quickly within the department to progressively more responsible assignments. Aside from supervisory assignments, collateral duties included Field Training Officer, Forensic Photographer, Clandestine Laboratory Investigator, Crime Scene Team Supervisor, and SWAT operations.
In 2018, he accepted the position of Chief of Police for the City of Brush, Colorado. While there, he successfully developed a wide variety of regional partnerships with other small agencies. In late 2022 he transitioned to the town of Eagle, serving as the Chief of Police until Dec. 2023, when he left to join the City and Borough of Juneau Police Department as the next Chief of Police.
His leadership philosophy encompasses the belief that law enforcement must work together to be successful, particularly in small and rural departments. Some of the initiatives he has taken to do this include a Regional SWAT team, a regional Major Crimes Investigations Task Force, and county and regional peer support networks for small agencies.
Deputy Chief Krag Campbell was promoted Jan. 1 to acting chief and deputy chief. On Friday, he was officially promoted to deputy chief by Chief Bos. Chief Bos said he had to decide who would be his deputy chief before his arrival to Juneau. Former Deputy Chief Dave Campbell retired in September of 2023.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege, just getting to know him in the short period of time that we have,” Chief Bos said. “And I am very excited for the partnership between he and I, and the leadership that we will bring to this team.”
Deputy Chief Campbell said he looks forward to continuing to serve Juneau in this new position. He is a lifelong Alaskan, having been born and raised in Ketchikan.
Deputy Chief Campbell graduated from the Ketchikan High School in 1995. In 1996, he joined the United States Army and was trained as a military police officer. He attended Army basic training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort McClellan, Alabama.
He was first stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, and later at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium. In 2001, Deputy Chief Campbell was honorably discharged from the Army, with the intent of pursuing his dream of working in law enforcement.
He moved to Juneau in 2002 after accepting a position as a police officer with the Juneau Police Department.
As an officer, Deputy Chief Campbell worked as a patrol officer and as a detective, specializing in property crime investigations. In 2012, he was the first officer to achieve the title of Master Police Officer with the Juneau Police Department.
In 2014, he was promoted to sergeant, where he worked as one of the five patrol supervisors. In 2017, he was promoted to lieutenant where he supervised the Patrol Division for the first 4 years and then supervised the Criminal Investigations Unit for the past 3 years.
Over his career, Deputy Chief Campbell’s ancillary duties have included being a SWAT team member, Assistant SWAT Leader, Tactical Operations Commander, Field Training Officer, Public Information Officer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Taser Instructor, Less Lethal Instructor, Chemical Munitions Instructor, and a Training Facilitator for the Arbinger Institute.
He holds an advanced police officer certificate through the Alaska Police Standards Council. He is a graduate of the FBI National Police Academy, Session 276.
In his free time, he actively volunteers in the community, particularly for youth sports programs, such as baseball, football, and wrestling.
The ceremony on Friday was followed by cake and community members chatting with the new police chief and his family.
