Chief Nichols moved to Unalaska/Dutch Harbor Alaska in August of 1978 and graduated from the Unalaska City High School in 1983. After graduating, Chief Nichols attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo and achieved a degree in Criminal Justice. October of 1987 Chief Nichols financed his own way to attend the Alaska Law Enforcement Training academy in Sitka Alaska. Shortly after graduating, Chief Nichols began his law enforcement career with the Unalaska Department of Public Safety in January of 1988. In November of1992 Chief Nichols was promoted to patrol sergeant with the department. Chief Nichols had 16 years of service with the Unalaska Department of Public Safety when he accepted the Chief of Police position with the Yakutat Department of Public Safety in May of 2004.
Chief Nichols has discovered that his short tenure as the Chief of Police for the Yakutat Department of Public Safety has been challenging, educational and rewarding. He believes his success is a result of the high standard and professionalism established by his previous department, the Unalaska Department of Public Safety.
Chief Nichols is active in his community and a strong supporter of community policing. Chief Nichols is a Certified DARE Officer in elementary, junior high school and parent programs and is still continuing to teach the D.A.R.E Program in the school. Chief Nichols has held the positions of Sergeant at Arm, First Vice President and Vice President with the Alaska Dare Officers Association. Chief Nichols also teaches other programs in the school such as Seatbelt Safety, Don’t Drink and Drive, Bicycle Safety, Ice Safety, Halloween Safety, Domestic Violence Education and among other programs. Chief Nichols feels that our best opportunity to make a difference in today’s law enforcement is having officers in the schools interacting with the students.
Chief Nichols is also a certified domestic violence instructor and holds an advanced police certification from the Alaska Police Standards Council.
Chief Nichols has a lovely wife Becky and three children, John 18 yoa, Kristine, 13 yoa and Sidney 3 yoa.