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Police Chief Scanlon Sworn In
On March 19, with family, friends and colleagues in attendance, Officer Michael Scanlon was officially sworn in as Homer's new Police Chief by retiring Chief Mark Robl. Chief Scanlon joined the department as an officer not long ago, and his talent, dedication, and fit with this department were quickly recognized — leading to his selection as the next Homer Police Chief. He brings with him a wealth of experience and a clear enthusiasm for community-oriented policing.
Chief Scanlon began his law enforcement career in 1993 with the Bellingham Police Department, starting in the patrol division. After five years he was selected as a Crime Prevention Officer, leading Women's Safety classes and giving presentations on Block Watch, Bank Robbery Prevention, and Shoplifting Prevention. In 2000 he was promoted to Crime Scene Investigator, developing expertise in crime scene processing, fingerprint analysis, evidence collection, and photography.
In 2007, Chief Scanlon voluntarily returned to patrol, working his way up through the ranks and leading a range of units including Patrol, the Special Victims Unit, the Major Crimes Unit, and the Field Training Unit. He retired from the Bellingham Police Department as the Traffic (Motorcycle) Sergeant in 2021.
In 2023, Chief Scanlon and his family moved to the Kenai Peninsula and made their home in the area. When an officer position opened at the Homer Police Department, he liked what he saw — both the personnel and the values of the department — and joined the team. As the new Chief, he is committed to building on the strong foundation already in place, while bringing additional skills and resources to better serve the community.
At the close of his swearing-in ceremony, Chief Scanlon addressed those in attendance: "This is a wonderful town, and the Homer Police Department is a great department. I am truly humbled by the selection and take the responsibility very seriously. There are some big shoes to fill. This is the best police department in the state and we will work to keep that going. I look forward to working with each of you in this goal."
