Find Police Records in Wrangell City and Borough
The Wrangell City and Borough is a unified government on Wrangell Island in Southeast Alaska, and police records here are managed by the Wrangell Police Department at 431 Zimovia Highway. WPD is a small but full-service department whose officers hold dual commissions as Alaska State Troopers and U.S. Customs officers, giving them authority that extends beyond typical city limits. This page covers how to request incident reports from WPD, how the public records process works for other city documents, and how to access statewide records tools for criminal history and court case searches in Wrangell.
Wrangell City and Borough Overview
Wrangell Police Department Records
The Wrangell Police Department is located at 431 Zimovia Highway, Wrangell AK 99929. Mailing address is P.O. Box 1168, Wrangell AK 99929. The non-emergency line is 907-874-3304. Police Chief Dale E. Meek leads a department of 16 personnel, including sworn officers, dispatch and correctional officers, and reserve officers.
What sets WPD apart is its dual commission structure. All sworn Wrangell officers hold Special Commissions as Alaska State Troopers and as U.S. Customs officers. This means they can enforce state and federal laws both inside and outside of Wrangell, which matters when it comes to records requests. An incident that happened near Wrangell but outside city limits might still involve a WPD officer, and the records would stay with WPD rather than going to a separate trooper post. That is worth knowing before you decide where to submit your request.
WPD operates a Confidential Crime Line (tip line) at 874-3270. This line is separate from the non-emergency number and is designed for people who want to report criminal activity without identifying themselves. Reports made to the tip line generate their own records, but those are generally not releasable since they involve confidential informant information.
The screenshot below shows the Wrangell Police Department's public safety page, which is the main starting point for records requests.
The Wrangell Police Department page at wrangell.com lists department contact information and links to public records request procedures.
This page is updated when department leadership or contact details change, so it is a reliable source for current information.
WPD Contact and Community Programs
The WPD welcome page gives a fuller picture of how the department serves the community. WPD takes a Community Oriented Policing approach. Officers speak to citizen groups about personal safety and business security topics on request. The department participates in DARE programs in local schools and offers Hunter Safety and Firearms classes. Annual events include a bike rodeo for child bike safety and a Youth Appreciation Fish Derby.
| Department | Wrangell Police Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 431 Zimovia Highway, Wrangell AK 99929 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 1168, Wrangell AK 99929 |
| Non-Emergency | 907-874-3304 |
| Tip Line | 907-874-3270 |
| Emergency | 911 |
| Chief | Dale E. "Gene" Meek |
WPD also operates a local jail. Inmates who need longer-term detention are transferred to Lemon Creek Correctional in Juneau. If you are trying to locate someone who was arrested in Wrangell, start by calling WPD. If they have been transferred, the department can direct you to Lemon Creek.
Fingerprinting is offered at WPD for professional licensing, background checks, volunteer work with children or elderly residents, immigration applications, firearm purchases, and FBI Identity History Summary requests. Call 907-874-3304 or visit in person. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. WPD forwards cards to Alaska DPS for processing after the appointment.
The screenshot below shows the WPD welcome page with additional detail on department services.
The WPD welcome page at wrangell.com describes the department's community programs and how to access various police services including fingerprinting.
The community programs listed here reflect WPD's ongoing activities; contact the department to confirm current availability of specific programs.
Note: Fingerprint cards are processed by Alaska DPS, not WPD; allow extra time beyond the appointment itself for statewide processing to complete.
Wrangell Public Records Request Process
The Wrangell public records request page explains the legal basis and process. Under Charter Section 4-5, all city and borough records are open to public inspection except where restricted by Alaska statute or municipal code. This is a broad commitment to open records, though exemptions exist for active investigations, personnel matters, and certain law enforcement sensitive materials.
A public records request form (PDF, 43 KB) is available on the request page. Complete it and submit it to the appropriate department. For arrest records specifically, requests must be in writing to the Wrangell Police Department. The administration page handles general borough records; police records go through WPD.
Fees apply for copying and research time. The fee schedule follows Alaska law guidelines. Simple requests with a few documents cost relatively little. Requests that require staff to search archives or compile records from multiple sources may incur research charges. You should ask about fees when you submit your request so you know what to expect before records are pulled.
Mugshots and booking photos are releasable through a public records request to WPD. There is no online booking photo database maintained at the local level, so you need to submit a written request. Include the subject's name, date of arrest or incident, and any case number you have. WPD will respond within the 10-working-day window set by the Alaska Public Records Act.
The records request page screenshot below shows the current submission process and form download link.
The Wrangell public records request page at wrangell.com contains the downloadable form and explains which types of records require separate written requests to WPD.
Print or save the form before filling it out; some PDF forms do not retain edits unless saved in Adobe Acrobat before closing.
Court Records for Wrangell Cases
Wrangell cases are handled by the Alaska First Judicial District, which covers Southeast Alaska. CourtView is the free statewide case search tool. It lets you search by name, case number, or date range. You can see whether a case was filed, what charges were brought, and how the case resolved. Not every detail is visible online, but CourtView gives enough information to confirm whether a case exists.
For physical copies of court documents, contact the trial court directly. The Alaska trial courts directory lists contact information for each courthouse. Copies cost $5 for the first document and $3 for each additional document in the same request. Certified copies are $10 plus $3 per page. Research time is billed at $30 per hour when staff must manually search for older or archived records.
Note: A CourtView search result showing no cases does not mean no arrest occurred; it may mean no charges were filed or the case is sealed, which requires a different inquiry process.
Criminal History and Statewide Tools
The Alaska DPS criminal history portal handles name-based searches for $20 and fingerprint-based searches for $35. These operate under AS 12.62.110-120. If you need a certified criminal history for professional licensing or another formal purpose, the fingerprint-based search is more reliable because it matches records by biometric data. Contact the DPS Criminal Records Bureau at 907-269-5767 or dps.criminalrecords@alaska.gov.
The Alaska DPS Daily Dispatch records calls for service handled by state troopers statewide. Search by date range or incident number. Since WPD officers hold trooper commissions, some Wrangell incidents may appear in the state dispatch log. This is worth checking if you are trying to track down records from an incident near or outside city limits.
The Alaska Sex Offender Registry is free and searchable by zip code or name. It holds over 3,600 entries statewide and is updated regularly. The registry operates under AS 12.63.100. Search by the Wrangell zip code 99929 to find registrants in the area.
Cities in Wrangell City and Borough
Wrangell City and Borough is a unified government. The city of Wrangell and the borough are one jurisdiction with a single administrative structure. There are no separate incorporated cities within the borough that have their own pages on this site.
The Wrangell Island community is served entirely by WPD and borough administration. Smaller settlements on nearby islands fall under borough jurisdiction as well.
Nearby Boroughs
These boroughs are geographically close to Wrangell City and Borough and share some state-level records infrastructure.