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DPS Academy Graduates 36 New Law Enforcement Officers

May 23, 2025 (Sitka, Alaska) — In a graduation ceremony today in Sitka, Alaska, 36 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.

"These new officers represent the future of law enforcement in Alaska," said Governor Mike Dunleavy. "I am confident that they will uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, and I wish them all the best as they embark on their careers."

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.

“We are proud to welcome these new officers to our law enforcement family,” said Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell. “This rigorous training program has prepared them to protect and serve Alaskans. We are grateful for their bravery and dedication to our communities.”

Graduates include:
  • Trooper Tyler Anderson, Alaska State Troopers
  • Officer Skyler Borane, Anchorage Airport Police & Fire
  • Officer Leonardus Castro, Anchorage Airport Police & Fire
  • Trooper Abigail Danaher, Alaska State Troopers
  • Trooper Schuyler Deeney, Alaska Wildlife Troopers
  • Trooper Jess Evans, Alaska State Troopers
  • Trooper Levi Farrelly, Alaska State Troopers
  • Trooper Andrew Fishe, Alaska State Troopers
  • Trooper Noah Gandy, Alaska State Troopers
  • Officer Nicolas Herron-Webb, Anchorage Airport Police & Fire
  • VPSO Alexa House-Hoffman, Kodiak Area Native Association
  • Trooper Elizabeth Jaeschke, Alaska Wildlife Troopers
  • Trooper Cody Johnson, Alaska Wildlife Troopers
  • Officer Steven Johnston, Juneau Police Department
  • VPSO Ryan Lane, Northwest Arctic Borough
  • Trooper Nathan Marble, Alaska State Troopers
  • Officer Axel McCrumb, Juneau Police Department
  • Officer Lucas Michael, Kenai Police Department
  • Trooper Wyatt Miller, Alaska State Troopers
  • Trooper Brycen Mitten, Alaska State Troopers
  • Trooper Christopher Morland, Alaska State Troopers
  • Trooper Riley Moss, Alaska State Troopers
  • Officer Cajewl Musgrave, Soldotna Police Department
  • Trooper Edward Owens, Alaska State Troopers
  • Officer Michael Reahl, North Slope Borough Police Department
  • Trooper Hunter Shay, Alaska Wildlife Troopers
  • Officer Joshua Shrader, Juneau Police Department
  • Trooper Stevan Smith, Alaska State Troopers
  • Trooper Jonah Strauel, Alaska State Troopers
  • VPSO Dakota Strong, Tlingit & Haida
  • Officer Tristan Taber, Juneau Police Department
  • Trooper Colten Taratko, Alaska State Troopers
  • VPSO Manmeet Teja, Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association
  • Officer Dylan Vanstralen, Craig Police Department
  • Officer Justin Viehweg, Juneau Police Department
  • Trooper Ethan Wynecoop, Alaska State Troopers

Trooper recruits will complete one additional week of training focused on Department of Public Safety specific tasks, 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.
 
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Multi-agency task force makes 41 arrests during drug-focused operation

May 20, 2025 (Anchorage, Alaska) – Forty-one people were arrested in the Mat-Su during a two-day operation led by the Alaska State Troopers Mat-Su Narcotics Team and High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) task force with assistance from dozens of law enforcement officers from local and federal agencies. The task force officers focused on crime suppression and cracking down on drug trafficking during the May 15 and 16 operations.

In total, investigators seized $24,615 in suspected drug proceeds, 23 grams of methamphetamine, 2.7 grams of fentanyl – the equivalent of 81 potentially fatal doses, 33 doses of suboxone and 11 grams of heroin. The operation resulted in arrests for drug distribution, firearms offenses, possession of child pornography and eluding. Multiple offenders were also remanded on outstanding arrest warrants.

“Operations like this make Alaska safer by taking dangerous drugs off our streets and ensuring that offenders are being held accountable,” said Alaska State Trooper Colonel Maurice Hughes. “Alaska State Troopers and our law enforcement partners take crime seriously and offenders should know that we will continue to relentlessly pursue justice. More operations like this are planned for the future across Alaska.”

The operation was led by the Mat-Su Narcotics Team and HIDTA task force with assistance from the Anchorage Airport Interdiction Team, Fairbanks Area Narcotics Team, Anchorage Police Department, Wasilla Police Department, Palmer Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, Alaska State Troopers’ B-Detachment Patrol and Judicial Services, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Border Patrol, Department of Corrections PED and Probations, Alaska Criminal Intelligence Center and MATCOM Dispatch.

The Alaska Department of Public Safety maintains a statewide list of active warrants online, if you have an active warrant, you can turn yourself in at any police or state trooper office. To see the list of active warrants visit: https://dps.alaska.gov/ast/warrants

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Susie Frenzel named as director of Integrated Victim Assistance Division

February 19, 2025 (Anchorage, AK) – Susie Frenzel has been selected as the director of the newly launched Integrated Victim Assistance Division. In this role, she will oversee a division focused on streamlining services for victims and providing comprehensive support.  

The division was created last year and oversees the State Crime Lab, the Statewide Victim/Witness Navigator Program, the Missing Persons Clearinghouse and training about domestic violence and sexual assault. The Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, and Violent Crime Compensation Board are now embedded within the Integrated Victim Assistance Division to ensure contact with crime victims is coordinated and deliberate. 

In her previous position as a criminal justice planner, Frenzel spearheaded several major projects, including the Sexual Assault Kit Tracking Initiative.  

“Susie has extensive experience and a dedicated track record of improving services for victims in Alaska,” Commissioner James Cockrell said. “Victim support is a top priority for the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Susie’s commitment to improving the lives of victims is essential to the department.” 
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