Village Public Safety Officers

Serving Alaska's Most Remote Communities

VPSOs are the frontline of public safety in Alaska’s rural villages. They provide law enforcement, fire response, search and rescue, and emergency medical services where no other help exists.

100+

Communities Served

VPSOs Employed

Regional Partners

1979

Year Established

What is a Village Public Safety Officer?

Village Public Safety Officers serve as a frontline public safety officer in Alaska’s most remote communities where there is typically no local police department, fire station, or emergency medical services.

The VPSO Division administers state grants to ten regional organizations, which recruit, train, employ, and supervise VPSOs in communities throughout their regions. These communities are often accessible only by small plane or boat.

Law Enforcement

VPSOs have limited law enforcement authority, respond to criminal incidents, preserve crime scenes, conduct interviews, and coordinate directly with Alaska State Troopers on serious cases.

Fire Suppression

In communities with no fire department, VPSOs are often the only trained firefighters available. They respond to structural and wildland fires and train community members in fire prevention.

Search & Rescue

VPSOs coordinate search and rescue operations in some of Alaska’s most remote terrain, working closely with volunteer groups, the State Troopers, and community members who know the surrounding land and water best.

Emergency Medical Services

VPSOs provide first-response emergency medical care working closely with Village clinics and health aides to save lives.

Quick Resources

VPSO Annual Report

VPSO Procedures

VPSO ArcGIS Map

VPSO Division Contact

Phone: (907) 334-2240

Email: vpso.team@alaska.gov

Mailing:
5700 East Tudor Road,
Anchorage, AK 99507

The 10 Regional VPSO Organizations

The VPSO program is administered through ten regional organizations. Each organization recruits, hires, trains, and supervises VPSOs in communities throughout its region. Select an organization to learn more.

Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association

Aleutian Chain and Pribilof Islands

Service Area:

Aleutian Chain and Pribilof Islands communities — some of the most remote and isolated communities in North America.

Headquarters:

1131 East International Airport Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99518-1408
Phone (907) 276-2700

Communities Served

Adak, Akutan, Atka, False Pass, Nelson Lagoon, Saint George, Saint Paul, Seldovia, Tyonek

Association of Village Council Presidents

Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region

Service Area:

Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) is a tribal consortium of 48 tribes in 56 Alaska native villages scattered across a 59,000 square mile region in remote western Alaska. All travel within the region is by small plane, ATV, boats during the ice-free part of summer and snowmachines in winter.

Headquarters:

P.O. Box 219
Bethel, Alaska 99559
Phone (907) 545-7391

Communities Served

Akiachak, Akiak, Alakanuk, Atmautluak, Chefornak, Chevak, Chuathbaluk, Crooked Creek, Eek, Emmonak, Goodnews Bay, Hooper Bay, Kasigluk, Kipnuk, Kongiganak, Kotlik, Kwethluk, Kwigillingok, Marshall, Mekoryuk, Mountain Village, Napakiak, Napaskiak, Newtok, Nightmute, Nunam Iqua, Nunapitchuk, Pilot Station, Quinhagak, Red Devil, Russian Mission, Scammon Bay, Sleetmute, St. Mary’s, Stony River, Toksook Bay, Tuluksak, Tuntutuliak, Tununak

Bristol Bay Native Association

Bristol Bay region — Southwest Alaska

Service Area:

Bristol Bay region of Southwest Alaska, including communities along the Alaska Peninsula and surrounding waters.

Headquarters:

P.O. Box 310
Dillingham, Alaska 99576
Phone (907) 842-6135

Communities Served

Aleknagik, Chignik Bay, Chignik Lake, Clarks Point, Egegik, Ekwok, Igiugig, Iliamna, Kokhanok, Koliganek, Levelock, Manokotak, Naknek, New Stuyahok, Newhalen, Nondalton, Pedro Bay, Perryville, Pilot Point, Port Heiden, Togiak, Twin Hill

Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska

Southeast Alaska

Service Area:

Southeast Alaska panhandle, serving rural communities and Alaska Native villages throughout the region.

Headquarters:

320 West Willoughby Ste. #300
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone (907) 586-1432
Toll Free (800) 344-1432

Communities Served

Angoon, Coffman Cove, Hydaburg, Kake, Kasaan, Pelican, Saxman, Thorne Bay

Chugachmiut

Prince William Sound and lower Kenai Peninsula

Service Area:

Communities along Prince William Sound and the lower Kenai Peninsula communities accessible primarily by boat or small aircraft.

Headquarters:

1840 E. Bragaw Street, Suite 110
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone (907) 562-4155

Communities Served

Chenega Bay, Nanwalek, Port Graham, Tatitlek

Copper River Native Association

Copper River Basin and Wrangell-St. Elias region

Service Area:

Copper River basin and Wrangell-St. Elias region, including communities along the highway corridor and surrounding remote areas.

Headquarters:

P.O. Box H
Copper Center, Alaska 99573
Phone (907) 822-8880

Communities Served

Chistochina, Chitina, Copper Center, Gakona, Gulkana, Mentasta, Tazlina

Kawerak, Inc.

Seward Peninsula and Bering Strait region

Service Area:

Seward Peninsula and Bering Strait region, including communities surrounding Nome and extending to the east.

Headquarters:

P.O. Box 948
Nome, Alaska 99762
Phone: 907-443-4252
Toll Free: 1-877-219-2599

Communities Served

Brevig Mission, Elim, Gambell, Golovin, Koyuk, Little Diomede, Saint Michael, Savoonga, Shaktoolik, Shismaref, Stebbins, Teller, Unalakleet, Wales, White Mountain

Kodiak Area Native Association

Kodiak Island

Service Area:

Kodiak Island communities and Alaska Peninsula coastal villages accessible by boat or small aircraft from Kodiak.

Headquarters:

3449 Rezanof Drive East
Kodiak, Alaska 99615
Phone (907) 486-9800

Communities Served

Akhiok, Larsen Bay, Old Harbor, Ouzinkie, Port Lions

Northwest Arctic Borough

Northwest Alaska — Kotzebue Sound region

Service Area:

Northwest Alaska including communities surrounding Kotzebue Sound, the Kobuk River valley, and surrounding areas.

Headquarters:

P.O. Box 1110
Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
Phone (907) 442-2500

Communities Served

Ambler, Buckland, Deering, Kiana, Kivalina, Kobuk, Noatak, Noorvik, Selawik, Shungnak

Tanana Chiefs Conference

Interior Alaska

Service Area:

Interior Alaska, including the Yukon Flats, Tanana River valley, and upper Kuskokwim regions — a large area encompassing dozens of remote communities.

Headquarters:

122 First Avenue, Suite #200,
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701-4897
Phone 800-478-6822 ext. 3296

Communities Served

Alatna, Allakaket, Anvik, Arctic Village, Beaver, Birch Creek, Central, Chalkyitsik, Circle, Eagle, Fort Yukon, Grayling, Holy Cross, Hughes, Huslia, Kaltag, Koyukuk, Manley Hot Springs, McGrath, Minto, Nikolai, Nulato, Rampart, Ruby, Shageluk, Stevens Village, Tanana, Tetlin, Venetie

Become a Village Public Safety Officer

Serve the communities that need you most

VPSOs are the backbone of public safety in rural Alaska. If you’re ready to make a real difference in communities that depend on you, the VPSO program offers meaningful work, comprehensive training, and the chance to serve your home community.

Basic Requirements

Must be 21 years or older, U.S. citizen, high school diploma or GED, valid Alaska driver’s license, no felony convictions, and able to pass a background investigation and physical fitness test.

Training Provided

All required training is provided at no cost. VPSOs complete a comprehensive academy covering law enforcement, fire suppression, emergency medical response, and search and rescue — typically held in Sitka.

Benefits & Compensation

Compensation and benefits are provided by your regional organization and vary by employer. Most positions include competitive pay, housing assistance in remote communities, health benefits, and retirement.

Community Placement

VPSOs are placed in communities within their regional organization’s service area. Many VPSOs serve in or near their own home communities, making it possible to build a career while staying close to your family and friends.

How To Apply To Become a VPSO

VPSOs are employed by one of our ten regional partners. To apply to a specific region or employer, use the organization information tool above. If you aren’t sure where you want to work, email us at vpso.team@alaska.gov or call (907) 334-2240.

Resources & DOcuments

VPSO Annual Report

The VPSO Division produces an annual report each January detailing program activity, staffing levels, and outcomes across the program.

VPSO Procedures

View the current VPSO Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) applicable to all officers regardless of employer.

VPSO Directory

View a current directory of VPSOs, communities, and oversight contacts.

VPSO Map

View an interactive ArcGIS map showing all current VPSO locations and regions.

Non-Emergency Crime Report

Submit an online crime report for areas patrolled by State Troopers or VPSOs.

Request Records

Request copies of DPS records including law enforcement incident reports.