Alaska Law Enforcement Training Academy
The Department of Public Safety Academy, located in Sitka, Alaska, is one of the nation’s finest law enforcement training facilities.
The primary academy building has a limited number of 3-person dorm rooms, each with adjoining bathrooms and many other 4-person traditional style dorm rooms. There is a student lounge, a state-of-the-art gym, featuring aerobic and weightlifting equipment, and a multi-purpose room for training drills and simulation events.
The academy has two use-of-force simulators and many live action scenarios to enhance the recruits’ training. Two firearms ranges are located seven miles from campus, the newest of which is the Troy Lynn Duncan Range, consisting of a classroom, storage area, lights, and a covered, heated shooting area.
Successful instruction is the primary focus for recruits at the academy. Instruction is delivered by commissioned Alaska State Troopers stationed in Sitka, and from other commissioned officers and civilian instructors from across Alaska and the nation. Time is dedicated to thorough training in subjects such as criminal justice, investigations, traffic violations, communications, defensive tactics, and use of firearms.
The Alaska Law Enforcement Training (ALET) Program offers specialized classes and practical training for a variety of law enforcement careers.
Address:
Public Safety Academy
877 Sawmill Creek Rd.
Sitka, AK 99835
Contact Us:
Phone: (907) 747-6611
Fax: (907) 747-5606
Email: dpsacademy@alaska.gov
The ALET Program
The Alaska Law Enforcement Training (ALET) Program fulfills the requirements of the Alaska Police Standards Council to be certified as a municipal police officer or an Alaska State Trooper with the Department of Public Safety. Each ALET is an intense seventeen-week course providing instruction in criminal investigation, police procedure, laws, and physical skills. Students also receive twelve semester credit hours from the University of Alaska Southeast. Recruits who have been hired as State Troopers will stay for an additional week after graduation for the Trooper Basic Course.
Graduating from the program does not guarantee employment, however over 60% of Alaska Law Enforcement Training graduates are currently employed in Alaska law enforcement.
Successful completion of the Public Safety Core enables students to apply for a basic law enforcement certificate from the Alaska Police Standards Council after one year of employment as a municipal police officer or State Trooper.
Recruits receive over one thousand hours of instruction over the course of the program.
Firearms instruction is given in handgun, patrol rifle, and shotgun.
Physical fitness training & control tactics are conducted most days of the week. Morning workouts begin at 5:10 am.
Approximately 60 hours are devoted to driving and emergency vehicle operations.
Standards
Entrance Requirements
- Standard #1
- High School graduation or G.E.D. certificate.
- Standard #2
- Citizen of the United State of America.
- Students must be at least 18 years of age, but the Alaska Police Standard Council will not issue a basic law enforcement certificate to individuals less than 21 years of age.
- Good moral character.
- Must be able to successfully perform physical and academic requirements of the academy with or without reasonable accommodation(s).
- Standard #3
- Students must have a valid driver’s license.
- Note: entry into the A.L.E.T. program may be denied to any person who, because of past criminal or social behavior, might represent a risk of harm to other students or the general public.
Alaskan police agencies are prohibited from hiring as a police officer any person:
- Convicted of a felony.
- Convicted of a misdemeanor crime of dishonesty, moral turpitude, or other crime resulting in serious physical injury to another within the preceding 10 years.
- Convicted of two or more driving while intoxicated offenses, within 10 years.
- Who has ever been denied or had certification revoked by the Alaska Police Standards Council.
- Who has illegally transported, manufactured or sold a controlled substance, within 10 years. Or any person who has used marijuana within one year.
- Who falsely applies for certification, lies or omits information on the Alaska Police Standards Council application.
For more details you may visit the Alaska Police Standards Council’s police regulations.
APSC Regulations
Current Alaska Police Standards Council regulations for Police, Village Police, and Corrections Minimum Standards, Training, and Certification
- 13 AAC 85: Minimum Standards for Police, Probation, Parole, Correctional, and Municipal Correctional Officers.
- 13 AAC 87: Certification of Police, Probation, Parole, Correctional, and Municipal Correctional Officer Training Programs and Instructors.
- 13 AAC 89: Minimum Standards for Village Police Officers
Expectations
The ALET program costs include all tuition, housing, meals, equipment, and supplies. Tuition is reduced by students maintaining the facility, without a paid janitorial staff. Students are required to maintain their personal living quarters, building, vehicle fleet and common areas to military inspection standards.
Basic skills that one must posses in order to succeed:
- Ability to read and comprehend Federal and State laws
- Ability to use senses, and demonstrate sound reasoning and judgment
- Act and think quickly in emergency situations
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
- Operate a motor vehicle with a valid driver’s license
- Differentiate colors
- General computer literacy
- General mathematics
- Leadership abilities
Training Schedule:
- Physical conditioning runs from 5:10 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. (Monday- Friday) and consists of running, swimming, weight training, and interval/cross training.
- Classroom and practical training is scheduled from 7:50 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Testing and driving instruction occurs on weekends.
- Study time and additional practical training happens most weekday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Academy students must maintain an overall academic average of 70% or higher to graduate and receive Alaska Police Standards Certification. After two weeks, students who have less than a 70% average are subject to dismissal. Students who fail any tests will be placed on “academic probation” and receive a test failure memorandum. Copies may be sent to their employer.
Students are required to comply with the rules and regulations of the Department of Public Safety and the University of Alaska, Southeast. They are subject to the following evaluations:
- Performance evaluations
- Weekly inspections
- Weekly, midterm, and final academic evaluations
- Firearms proficiency testing
- Driving proficiency testing
- Practical performance testing
- Physical fitness testing
Self-Pays
It is possible to attend the DPS Training Academy as a self-pay attendee, with no employer sponsor. The following information and forms must be reviewed, completed and submitted to dpsacademy@alaska.gov.
ALET Self Screening
Applicant Checklist
Applicant Fingerprint Instructions
CJIS Clearance Form
DPS Academy Fitness Test Standards
F2A B Medical
F-3 Personal History
Health Insurance Information
Waivers and Info Release Forms updated
24-02 Withdrawal Dismissal Policy