53 new Alaska Law Enforcement Officers to begin training

The Alaska Department of Public Safety is beginning the process of training 53 new law enforcement officers destined for locations across the state, including 8 lateral hires and 45 new recruits.

The Alaska State Troopers lateral hire academy begins in Anchorage on February 19. It includes 8 law enforcement officers with previous experience who will go through an abbreviated eight-week training academy before beginning field training as Alaska State Troopers. Additionally, 45 new recruits will begin the 16-week Alaska Law Enforcement Training (ALET) Academy in Sitka, Alaska, on February 22, 2021.

Between both academies, 22 new Alaska State Troopers will begin training for a career providing public safety services to the largest state in the nation. The Alaska Law Enforcement Training Academy class 21-01 also includes 12 VPSOs, 16 local police officers from across the state, one Alaska State Parks Ranger, and one Anchorage Airport Police and Fire Officer. The academy runs through June 11.

“Under Governor Dunleavy’s leadership, careers as an Alaska State Trooper and Alaska Wildlife Trooper are much more attractive to those looking for rewarding jobs in law enforcement with great pay and benefits,” said Department of Public Safety Interim Commissioner Kelly Howell. “We are on track to hire 40 new Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Wildlife Troopers this year, which will help us deploy more Troopers to rural Alaska and make all of Alaska a safer place to live and raise a family.”

ALET class 21-01 is a continuation of larger ALET academy classes that began in 2019 after the department began putting more resources and effort into recruiting new Troopers. The larger classes allow DPS to keep up with natural attrition that occurs as Troopers retire and leave the department while also working to fill the newly funded Trooper positions across the state.

“At a time when many are leaving jobs in policing across the lower 48, I am encouraged that so many are beginning noble careers as police officers and state troopers in our great state,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. “Public safety remains job number one for my administration, and these brave men and women will certainly help make Alaska a safer place.”

The Department of Public Safety is currently hiring for the fall ALET academy; those that are interested in becoming an Alaska State Trooper can learn more at www.AlaskaStateTrooper.com