The city's former deputy police chief is now the head of the entire public safety department.
Unalaska's city manager announced Tuesday Michael Holman has been promoted to public safety director.
He takes over for Jamie Sunderland, who is retiring. Holman says that now he's director, Unalaskans shouldn't expect any radical changes in leadership.
"I don't have a different philosophy, I expect that there won't be a lot of really visible changes. I think we are moving in the right direction - and we have been - under Jamie's leadership, and I'd like to continue that path," Holman said Tuesday. "He's really promoted engagement with the public and the community, public outreach, education. And I think those are really important. Including transparency of operations. That's my intent, to continue that."
Holman has served as deputy police chief since 2011, and has worked for Unalaska public safety for over 20 years.
Holman was born in Massachusetts and raised in Homer, Alaska. He earned a master's of public administration from the online Ashford University and a criminal justice graduate certificate from the University of Virginia. In 2012, he attended the FBI National Academy in Virginia.
In 1995, Holman came to Unalaska as a police officer. Six years later he was promoted to police sergeant.
Because the Unalaska police and fire divisions were combined in 1982, Holman is now responsible for running all of public safety.
Holman starts his new job on January 16.
