June 28, 2024 (Anchorage, AK)— This week three new Regional Public Safety Officers have begun work in Northwest Alaska and Southeast Alaska through the DPS Village Public Safety Officer Division. Regional Public Safety Officers (RPSO) have similar authority to Village Public Safety Officers; however, their authority and jurisdiction extends to an entire region instead of just within a specific village. The three RPSOs are: Sean Ahshapanek, Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indians Joshua Harville, Northwest Arctic Borough Zach West, Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indians “We have worked tirelessly over the last four years to return Alaska’s novel Village Public Safety Officer Division to its peak through new funding from Governor Dunleavy and the Legislature and a specific focus within the department,” said Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell. “These three Regional Public Safety Officers will compliment the cadre of Village Public Safety Officers working tirelessly as first responders in Alaska’s villages. We will keep working to increase the number of Village Public Safety Officers and Regional Public Safety Officers until every village that wants one, has one.” Both Village Public Safety Officers and Regional Public Safety Officers are employed by one of ten grantees that receive annual funding from DPS for the program. Today there are 71 VPSOs working in Alaska. VPSOs and RPSOs work as first responders in Alaska’s rural and remote villages providing for basic law enforcement, search and rescue, fire suppression, and emergency medical services within their community. "The addition of Regional Public Safety Officers in Alaska’s remote communities represents a significant step in enhancing the safety and security of our rural villages,” stated Village Public Safety Officer Operations Director James Hoelscher. “Their ability to operate across multiple villages will provide much-needed support and flexibility as we work to meet the department’s mission of ensuring public safety." ### Read More
May 24, 2024 (Sitka, AK)— In a graduation ceremony today in Sitka, Alaska 26 new law enforcement officers received their badges after completing the rigorous Alaska Law Enforcement Training Academy. A video recording of the graduation ceremony is available on the Alaska State Troopers Facebook page. “I commend these new law enforcement officers who have successfully completed the rigorous Alaska Law Enforcement Academy,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. “I appreciate your dedication to serving and safeguarding Alaskans throughout our great state, and for the positive impact your service will have on future generations of Alaskans.” Graduating recruits completed more than 1,000 hours of training over the course of 17 weeks of basic Alaska Law Enforcement Training. Recruits received intensive instruction in law enforcement-related topics, use-of-force and de-escalation, physical fitness, and many scenario-based exercises designed to prepare entry-level police officers and Troopers for successful careers in Alaska law enforcement. "Completing the world-class training at our Sitka based academy is no easy feat, and these officers have earned the right to wear the badge that they were issued today. I welcome these new law enforcement officers to our noble profession,” said Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell. “The work that these new officers will complete will enhance the safety and security of our state – and continue to make our state a safe place to live, visit, work, and raise a family." Graduates include: Trooper Wesley Booth, Alaska State Troopers ** Officer Luke Burkhalter, Ketchikan Police Department Trooper Hunter Churness, Alaska State Troopers ** Officer Cole Connolly, Klawock Police Department Ranger Miriam Davenport, Alaska State Parks Officer Geoffrey Davis, Juneau Police Department Trooper Joseph Eshom, Alaska State Troopers ** Trooper Jacob Fia’ai, Alaska State Troopers Ranger Ella Fitzwater, Alaska State Parks Ranger Kellan Ford, Alaska State Parks Trooper Christopher Fouts, Alaska State Troopers Ranger Airk Furseth, Alaska State Parks Trooper Tony Gregory, Alaska State Troopers ** Ranger Timothy Gurnett, Alaska State Parks Officer Kaleb Harvey, Homer Police Department Officer Tyler Holloway, Fairbanks Police Department Trooper Samuel Humphreys, Alaska Wildlife Troopers ** Officer Nathan Jackson, Fairbanks Police Department Trooper Christopher Kopy, Alaska State Troopers Trooper Ryan Maag, Alaska State Troopers ** Trooper Peter Testa, Alaska State Troopers Trooper Nolan “Tyler” Thornal, Alaksa Wildlife Troopers Ranger Jacques Turcotte, Alaska State Parks Trooper Michael Whittaker, Alaska Wildlife Troopers Trooper Timothy Wilson, Alaska State Troopers Trooper Coltin Yancey, Alaska State Troopers Trooper recruits will complete two additional weeks of training focused on wilderness survival, wildlife and fisheries investigations, and other elements of law enforcement unique to the Alaska State Troopers. They will then arrive at their first duty assignments in either Fairbanks, Soldotna, or the Mat-Su Valley, and begin a Field Training and Evaluation Program. If successful, the Trooper recruits will be promoted to the rank of Trooper upon completion of their probationary period, generally 12 months from the start of the academy. **Lateral recruits attended an abbreviated eight-week academy. Read More
May 2, 2024 (Anchorage, AK) – Today Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell released the following statement regarding the issuance of State of Alaska Special Commissions to the Chickaloon Tribal Police Department. “After receiving hundreds of comments from across the Matanuska Susitna Valley, I have decided to not move forward with issuing special commissions to the Chickaloon Tribal Police Department. My team and I received a significant amount of feedback from community members which demonstrated continued community consultation and relationship building is needed before special commissions can be considered. Without public trust, policing in any community would be nearly impossible. DPS will continue to work with tribes across the state to improve public safety outcomes for Alaska’s first people.” This decision does not impact any of the inherent criminal justice authority held by tribal governments or currently delegated to tribal governments by the federal government. ### Read More