February 7, 2023 (ANCHORAGE, AK) – Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell has appointed Lloyd Nakano as the new State Fire Marshal and Director of the Division of Fire and Life Safety. State Fire Marshal Nakano has been with the Department of Public Safety since September 2005 and has been the Assistant State Fire Marshal since December 2012. “The Division of Fire and Life Safety serves a critical mission across urban and rural Alaska by investigating fatal structure fires, reviewing commercial building plans, and providing firefighter education across the state,” said Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell. “I know Lloyd will continue to deliver the excellence, customer service, and emergency response capabilities that the State Fire Marshal’s Office is known for.” Fire Marshal Nakano started with the state as a Deputy Fire Marshal I in 2005, promoting to Deputy Fire Marshal II in 2007. He helped lead the State Fire Marshal’s Office as the Assistant State Fire Marshal, starting in 2012, and has been the Acting State Fire Marshal since August 2022. Fire Marshal Nakano has an associate degree in Fire Science and seven fire safety certifications. “I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to lead the Division of Fire and Life Safety and to support the amazing men and women who drive this mission across the state every day,” said Alaska State Fire Marshal Lloyd Nakano. “As Fire and Life Safety begins its 69th year of service to Alaska, I know our division will help protect Alaskans by continuing our efforts to prevent the loss of life and property from fire and explosion.” Fire Marshal Nakano’s appointment is effective February 7, 2023. The Fire and Life Safety division is made up of 29 Deputy Fire Marshals and professional staff. PDF Version Read More
February 1, 2023 (Anchorage, AK) – The Alaska Department of Public Safety has released a draft copy of their body worn camera policy for public feedback. The new policy will govern the use of body worn cameras, personal audio recorders, and dash cameras under the title of mobile audio and video recording (MAVR). In July 2022, the Alaska Department of Public Safety was awarded $3.58 million in state funding and $938,000 in federal funding for the project. The DPS draft body worn camera policy is based off of national best practices from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, US Department of Justice, and other similarly situated law enforcement agencies across the nation. A copy of the draft policy, frequently asked questions, and photos can be found at: https://dps.alaska.gov/bodycam Highlights from the draft DPS policy: DPS may proactively release MAVR recordings after officer-involved-shootings and other critical incidents once the primary interviews are completed with suspects, witnesses, and victims. DPS will retain MAVR evidence that is captured for between 26 months and or 99 years depending on the nature of the interaction that is recorded. Members of the public will be able to request copies of MAVR recordings after an investigation is completed and any related court proceedings involving the state have been closed under the Alaska Public Records Act. Describes when officers should activate a MAVR device to record evidence. “The Alaska Department of Public Safety has been working for years to bring body worn cameras to our department and the citizens that we protect. Not only do body worn cameras increase transparency and trust, but they help better serve the Alaskans that we interact with every day, and provide undeniable video evidence for prosecutions and investigations,” said Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell. “I hope that Alaskans will take a look at our draft policy and give us candid feedback and ways that can make body cameras better for all Alaskans.” DPS has chosen Motorola as the vendor for the body camera project, the same provider of DPS vehicle dash cameras and radios. DPS has purchased 600 Motorola V300 body cameras for the use of Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, commissioned officers in the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Court Services Officers, and Village Public Safety Officers. DPS will begin a pilot program in Spring 2023 which will deploy approximately 30 cameras to Troopers that service urban and rural Alaska and are currently equipped with a wireless dash camera in their patrol vehicle. DPS intends to begin issuing body cameras to all Troopers, CSOs, DFMs, and VPSOs later in 2023. The official public comment period will run from February 8, 2023 – March 1, 2023. Alaskans or organizations that would like to comment on the policy should do so in writing by emailing dps.bwc.comments@alaska.gov or mailing their comments to: Alaska Department of Public Safety ATTN: BWC Comments 5700 East Tudor Road Anchorage, AK 99507 Read More
January 27, 2023 (Anchorage, AK) – The Alaska Department of Public Safety’s Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) has released its annual drug report highlighting trends in illegal narcotics trafficking in Alaska. The annual report presented to the Alaska Legislature details reported street prices for illicit drugs, the impressive number of illicit drugs and alcohol seized by the drug investigators, average sentences given to offenders of Alaska’s controlled substances criminal statutes, as well as an overview of the illegal narcotics and illicit alcohol problem in Alaska. Highlights from 2022 Annual Drug Report: In 2022, 26.85 kilograms of fentanyl, which is approximately 13.425 million potentially fatal doses In 2022, SDEU made 102 unique drug and alcohol arrests across Alaska. From 2021 to 2022, there was a 68 percent increase in methamphetamine seizures and a 77 percent increase in cocaine seizures. International drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) continue to gravitate towards Alaska’s lucrative drug market looking to exploit Alaska’s remote areas, high demand, and limited law enforcement resources in remote areas. “This latest annual report reflects the commitment and tenacity of the dozens of Alaska State Trooper Drug Investigators, as well as our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to disrupt the ongoing trafficking of illicit and dangerous drugs in Alaska and prevent overdose deaths. To those trafficking dangerous drugs in Alaska, know that sooner or later law enforcement will catch up to you and hold you accountable for your reckless disregard for Alaskan lives,” said Colonel Maurice Hughes, Director of the Alaska State Troopers. The 2022 Annual Drug Report is available online at: https://dps.alaska.gov/getmedia/d2b7aeb9-0497-434a-a9f7-c4e1cbe5b01b/2022-Annual-Drug-Report.pdf The Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit is made up of four regional task forces: Southcentral Areawide Narcotics Team (SCAN), Fairbanks Area-wide Narcotics Team (FANT), Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs (SEACAD), and Western Alaska Alcohol and Narcotics Team (WAANT). Each regional task force is comprised of Alaska State Troopers, local police officers, and federal law enforcement agents. Additionally, Alaska has four High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) initiatives. If you have information about drug trafficking occurring in your community, please consider reporting it to your local police department or the Alaska State Troopers. Tips can also be submitted anonymously though the AKTips smartphone app or online at https://dps.alaska.gov/tips. Read More