Local officers graduate from Public Safety Training Academy

Owen Martin of Kipnuk receives his graduation certificate and congratulations from Department of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan. In the front row is Bethel graduate William Charles. Photo courtesy of the Martin Family

by Greg Lincoln

Congratulations to the class of 31, including William Charles of the Bethel Police Department and Owen Martin of Kipnuk for the Association of Village Council Presidents who graduated from the Public Safety Training Academy in Sitka last Friday, 6/9/2017.
The graduates included six state troopers, two wildlife troopers and five Village Public Safety Officers.
The graduation ceremony took place at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Tribal Community House concluding Alaska Law Enforcement Training (ALET) Session No. 1701. To get to this point, the 31 law enforcement students from around the state went through 1009 hours of training in the 15-week basic ALET. The training incorporates intensive instruction in law enforcement-related topics, physical fitness and many scenario-based exercises – all designed to prepare entry level police officers, Village Public Safety Officers and troopers for a successful career in Alaska law enforcement.
The graduates are:
Sean Ahshapanek, Juneau Police Department
Marioano Barela, Alaska State Troopers
Jaimie Barnes, Alaska State Troopers
Samuel Braband, Alaska State Parks
Joseph Brady, Fairbanks Airport Police & Fire
Timothy Cassidy, CRNA
William Charles, Bethel Police Department
Monte Chitty, APIA
Jayson Christner, Sitka Police Department
Brandon Elkins, Alaska Wildlife Troopers
Peter Fenske, Kenai Police Department
Cameron Hayden, Cordova Police Department
Zachary Hughes, Fairbanks Airport Police & Fire
Isaac Kimball, Kodiak Police Department
Seth Kollman, Alaska Wildlife Troopers
Joshua Lobato, Bristol Bay Police Department
Craig Markiewicz, Alaska State Troopers
Owen Martin, AVCP
David Mcphetres, Fairbanks Airport Police & Fire
Christian Millan, APIA
Justin Oster, Ketchikan Police Department
Pierre Pages, Alaska State Troopers
Mario Pagni, Alaska State Parks
William Robb IV, Alaska Wildlife Troopers
Sydney Rosenbalm, Fairbanks Police Department
Bryan Shoemate, CCTHITA
Patrick Simasko, Alaska State Troopers
Jacob Tibbetts, North Pole Police Department
Morgan Tracy, Homer Police Department
Andrew Wixon, Fairbanks Police Department
Christopher Zelman, Juneau Police Department
After graduation, the nine Alaska State Trooper recruits continue their training at the academy for an additional three weeks. This training session is often referred to as Trooper Basic. The trooper recruits receive more tailored and advanced training during this session in fish and wildlife investigations, boating safety, survival, commercial fisheries enforcement, media relations, critical stress management, patrol rifle training and search and rescue. They are also exposed to additional scenario-based training events.
Upon completion of Trooper Basic, trooper recruits will move to their first duty assignment in either Fairbanks, Soldotna or the Mat-Su Valley and begin a 12-week Field Training and Evaluation Program. All trooper recruits are expected to develop to the point of being able to perform all law enforcement functions independently and if successful, will be promoted to trooper upon the successful completion of their probationary period, generally 12 months from the start of the academy.