In a Nov. 18 graduation ceremony in Sitka, 43 new law enforcement officers received their badges, including two women. Graduates consisted of 23 Alaska State and Alaska Wildlife Troopers, seven village public safety officers and numerous city, state, and borough police officers.

The graduates completed more than 1,000 hours of training over the course of 17 weeks of basic training. Schooling included intensive instruction in law enforcement-related topics, physical fitness and many scenario-based exercises designed to prepare entry-level police officers and Troopers for successful careers.

“Today’s Academy graduation marks another rollout of Alaska’s highly specialized law enforcement officers due to their endurance through this intensive training,” said Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell. “Through the Alaska Law Enforcement Training Academy’s demanding and refined skill set training, these officers will move forward, continuing to progress in their career through public service in all regions of Alaska.”

Following graduation, the 23 Trooper recruits will continue training at the academy for an additional week. This will include tailored and advanced training in fish and wildlife investigations, boating safety, survival, commercial fisheries enforcement, search and rescue, and critical stress management. Recruits also participate in additional scenario-based trainings.

Upon completion of Trooper Basic, recruits move toward their first duty assignments 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. 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.

LIST OF GRADUATES