In a graduation ceremony today in Sitka, Alaska, 24 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.
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, criminal law, physical fitness, and many scenario-based exercises designed to prepare entry-level police officers and Troopers for successful careers in Alaska law enforcement.
“Today, we proudly welcome 24 new law enforcement officers who have demonstrated during their academy training the dedication, discipline, and commitment necessary to serve Alaskans,” said Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cocrkell. “Graduating from the academy is a significant accomplishment, but it is also the beginning of a career built on loyalty, integrity, and courage. Whether serving in our largest communities or our most remote communities, these new officers will play a critical role in ensuring public safety across our great state. I congratulate each graduate on their; achievement and thank them for answering the call to serve.”
Graduates include:
- Trooper Max Auschwitz, Alaska State Troopers
- Officer Seth Ballantyne, Kenai Police Department
- Trooper Billy Cedeno Nazario, Alaska State Troopers
- Trooper Noah Chambers, Alaska State Troopers
- Trooper Colby Cooper, Alaska State Troopers
- Officer Brennen Dory, Seward Police Department
- Trooper Brett Ewing, Alaska State Troopers
- Trooper Alexander Fiscus, Alaska State Troopers
- Officer Gregory Fraaza, Fairbanks Airport Police & Fire
- Officer Andrew Gourley, Soldotna Police Department
- Trooper Benjamin Higgins, Alaska State Troopers
- Officer Brian Hong, Palmer Police Department
- Trooper Dwight Killpack, Alaska State Troopers
- Trooper Colin Knotts, Alaska State Troopers
- Officer Richard Mann, Fairbanks Airport Police & Fire
- Officer James Myers, Sitka Police Department
- Trooper Thomas Ostiguy, Alaska State Troopers
- Trooper Steven Przybylski, Alaska State Troopers
- Officer Michael Rosa, Seward Police Department
- Trooper Vasily Sekerak, Alaska State Troopers
- Trooper John Simone, Alaska State Troopers
- Trooper Evan Sosinski, Alaska State Troopers
- Officer Quinten Tulik, Bethel Police Department
- Trooper Aiden Zingone, 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 19-week 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.