Chief Gorder started his career in law enforcement in 1978 with the Alaska State Troopers. During his 22 year career with the Troopers he was stationed in Anchorage, Ketchikan, Sitka, Fairbanks. Chief Gorder retired in 1999 at the rank of Lieutenant. His last assignment was the commander of the DPS Training Academy in Sitka. Chief Gorder accepted the Sitka Chief's position in January 2002. He is a graduate of the 90th Administrative Officers Course at SPI. He and his wife, Susan, enjoy exploring the waters of Southeast Alaska, British Columbia, and Puget Sound on their 42' boat, Hobo.
City and Borough of Sitka
Ancestral home of the Tlingit Indians, captured by the Russians in 1741, sold to the Americans in the historic transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States in 1867- Sitka carries the legacy of each.
Located on Baranof Island in Southeastern Alaska, Sitka is the 5th largest city in Alaska (pop. 8,600), and as the largest town geographically in the United States, it covers over 4000 square miles mostly only accessible by boat or airplane.
Sitka lies at the heart of the largest temperate rain forest in the world, the Tongass National Forest. With views of island-studded waters and stately spruce forests reaching to the water's edge, Sitka is considered Alaska's most beautiful seaside town.
Sitka Police Department
18 Permanent Sworn Officers
04 Grant Funded Sworn Positions (1 Drug Inv, 2 Domestic Violence Inv's, 1 School Resource Officer) 05 Dispatchers 05 Jail Officers 01 Traffic Officer 01 Animal Control Officer 02 Civilian Positions 36 Total
The department has high moral and good equipment, vehicles and training. This agency is progressive and focuses on serving the citizens of Sitka.
UPDATE: Chief Gorder has retired Sheldon Schmidtt is now the Chief of Police in Sitka