Leading with Integrity
Don’t ask your personnel to do what you aren’t willing to do yourself. It can be difficult, but you can’t just rest on your previous accomplishments to carry you.Daniel Juarez was selected as Chief of the Anchorage Airport Police and Fire Department last March. There are 81 people under his leadership.
Juarez was born in Los Angeles. He is proud of his rich Mexican and American heritage. He is married to Mary Juarez and has three children. He has been working for the police for over 18 years. Learn about his vision here. How do you end up in Alaska? My Mom was a young single parent, and during that time, Alaska was still in the midst of the oil boom, so opportunities were abundant. I was 10 at the time when we moved from California. I hated it at first, because I left the family I was close to. But over time, I grew to love Alaska and the outdoors. How did you become a police officer? I grew up in a very dysfunctional environment and was exposed to crime, not too long after, we moved to Alaska. One of the first things I experienced where we lived downtown in California, was some guy trying to rape my aunt and pointing a gun at my face. I was paralyzed; I couldn’t move, and I thought that was it. I didn’t want to feel that way again. When the cops came, I looked up to them for help. So that seed was planted. I also had family members who were in law enforcement. I wanted to be the helper and step in when others couldn’t or wouldn’t. What are your challenges in your position? I continue to learn the ins and outs of the Airport system and how certain funds can be spent for projects, equipment, and services. The budget has regulations on what it can be spent on; it is governed by the FAA, the State Legislature, and the Airlines. I’m lucky to have outstanding officers and non-sworn personnel, though. What are your values to be a good leader? Lead from the front. Don’t ask your personnel to do what you aren’t willing to do yourself. It can be difficult, but you can’t just rest on your previous accomplishments to carry you. Once in a while you have to step into your team’s shoes to know where they are coming from and sweat a little. The department’s core values are: Courage, Honor, and Integrity. What aspects do you oversee for airport security? Like any Policing Organization, we want to keep the public safe. In this case, it’s the traveling public flying to and from all over Alaska, the Country, or internationally. We collaborate with our partners at the TSA, FBI, AST, APD, and other agencies to investigate incidents that may involve screening violations, firearms, drugs, and other criminal offenses, among others. We also collaborate with the Anchorage Fire Department on mutual aid calls at the Anchorage International Airport, responding to medical, fire, and water rescue emergencies. We train and prepare for critical incidents that may occur to prevent loss of life. We also patrol the public roadways belonging to the airport and the DOTPF (Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)here at the Airport and private leaseholds, such as Lake Hood and surrounding businesses. Have you received any distinction in your career? Earning the Title Marine, Recon Marine, and my US Army Ranger Tab, my military service fighting in Iraq and the War on Terror, and leading Marines. |