Two officers from Bethel graduate from DPS Academy

Alaska Law Enforcement Training Academy graduates completed their session and graduated on Nov. 9th, 2017 in Sitka. Martin Oulton of Bethel is in the top row, 4th from left. Michael Shawgo, also of Bethel is 8th from left. Photo by Alyse Lincoln

Martin Oulton and Michael Shawgo of the Bethel Police Department recently graduated from the Public Safety Training Academy in Sitka on November 9th, 2017.

Their class totaled 24, including three state troopers, two wildlife troopers and two Village Public Safety Officers. The graduation ceremony at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Tribal Community House concludes Alaska Law Enforcement Training (ALET) Session No. 1702.

To get to this point, the 24 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 including the Bethel officers are:

Manuel Beza, Fairbanks Police Department

John Brown, VPSO – Central Council Tlingit & Haida

Clinton Brubeck, Fairbanks Police Department

Spencer Burgin, Seward Police

Scott Corino, Alaska State Trooper

Jack Ford, Sitka Police Department

Nicholas Franklin, Kenai Police Department

Kyle Freeberg, Alaska Wildlife Trooper

Cameron Glodowski, Fairbanks Airport Police & Fire

Kelcey Harrison, Alaska State Trooper

Austin Heusser, Soldotna Police Department

Samuel Humphreys, Sitka Police Department

Caleb Lloyd, Alaska State Trooper

Heath McCrimmon, Fairbanks Airport Police & Fire

Olivia Nolywaika, Alaska Wildlife Trooper

Martin Oulton, Bethel Police Department

Jason Pace, Fairbanks Police Department

Alexander Reed, Valdez Police

Robert Schooler, Fairbanks Airport Police & Fire

Michael Shawgo, Bethel Police Department

Robert Stratton, Anchorage Airport Police & Fire

Josh Wagner, VPSO – Bristol Bay Native Association

Adam White, Anchorage Airport Police & Fire

Philip White, Anchorage Airport Police & Fire

After graduation, the five 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.