After serving nearly two years as full-time chief of the Nome Police Department, William Crockett is letting the clock run out on his contract. Efforts to replace Crockett are underway at the city.
Crockett retired as a detective from the Portland Police Bureau in Oregon in 2022, then started at NPD weeks later in the same role. Crockett went on to serve as interim-chief, then chief in 2024.
“My intention was to remain retired, but my wife, we were looking to leave Portland, and we just wanted an adventure, and this is probably one of the most adventurous places we could go,” Crockett said in an interview with KNOM.
During Crockett’s time as chief, NPD earned accreditation through the Northwest Accreditation Alliance. To earn the accreditation, member departments must adhere to numerous industry standards like record keeping and arrest procedures. The process began in 2021, before Crockett’s arrival, and was awarded in May of 2025.
“I wouldn't say it's a crowning achievement, because I can't really take credit,” Crockett said. “There was a lot of people involved in that accreditation process, and I just happened to be in the chief spot when it happened.”
Crockett said a priority for him has been “professionalizing” the department to put it on equal footing with other departments elsewhere in the country. A key focus, he said, has been hiring and retaining qualified candidates.
“The officers that we have are of higher caliber than we've had before. This department's able to investigate crimes better than the past,” Crockett said. “Citizens of Nome should be very proud of it, these guys do a heck of a job.”
Crockett said he has also leaned on his experience working as a child abuse and sexual assault detective in Portland to guide how the force approaches crimes.
“We really categorize the crimes that need to be aggressively prosecuted here, sex assault, domestic violence, child abuse and animal abuse,” he said.
Crockett said Nome Police Department used to average “well over 100” sexual assault cases a year. In 2024, he said that number was down to 29 and in 2025, 24 have been reported.
“Our aggressive approach against those types of offenders makes a difference, same with domestic violence and all those other types of crimes we're talking about, the approach to that is one of the things I'm very happy about,” Crockett said.
Double departure
The departure of the chief is two-fold for Nome. Crockett’s wife, Ashly Crockett, works as an assistant district attorney in Nome. Chief Crockett said his wife, who formerly served as a deputy district attorney in Oregon’s Multnomah County, would leave a large absence
“I struggle to think that she'll be replaceable anytime soon,” Chief Crockett said.
Staffing challenges at the Nome office are exacerbated by the recent retirement of John Earthman. The former Nome District Attorney served the region for nearly 26 years and retired in August.
Judge Romano DiBenedetto was placed on administrative leave in July, leaving just one magistrate judge, Pamela Smith, serving the Nome court full-time. Kotzebue-based judge, Paul A. Roetman has stepped in to serve the Nome court during DiBenedetto’s absence.
The staffing changes in Nome come as the district and superior court processes more cases each year since 2021, with a combined 1,044, 1,153 and 1,180 cases filed in fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively. While more cases filed mean more crimes are being prosecuted, it also represents a higher workload for staff.
Inside the search for a replacement
According to Nome City Manager Lee Smith, concerns that Crockett would be leaving Nome grew over the summer. In May, the Crocketts listed a rental property they owned for sale. In September, their primary residence was put on the market. The listings prompted conversations between the chief and Smith.
“I think he was struggling with the decision. He was taking it from the right perspective, his career, his family, but I will tell you his big decision, hardest decision, was leaving his people,” Smith said.
Rather than resign, Crockett said he plans to leave after serving his contract that expires on Feb. 11, 2026.
In the meantime, Smith has been working on a revised job description for Crockett’s replacement. Among Smith’s priorities is a focus on “community policing”.
“You're just riding around. I had a really good chief years ago who said community policing is policing with the windows down. Now, if it's negative 40, of course not,” Smith said. “Get out and walk. Say, ‘hey man, so and so, you know, the house is looking good’.”
A job description on the City of Nome website lists the salary as negotiable and depending on experience. Crockett’s salary started at $185,000 per year with a 3% adjustment for each year served.
Smith said someone with 15 to 20 years of experience was preferred and didn’t rule out a local hire. Given the timeline of under four months until Crockett’s contract expires, Smith also suggested an interim chief may be appointed until the right fit is found.
“We've had people who have been here in the past, or retired chiefs or assistant chiefs that have worked in cities in Alaska who said, ‘look, I'm not looking for a full time, but if you need me for two or three months’,” Smith said.
The city plans to start advertising the job at the ICMA Annual Conference for city and county managers in Tampa, FL this week. Smith said a recruiting firm, which would bring an additional expense to the city, isn’t being considered at this time.
