36 new law enforcement officers completed the rigorous Alaska Law Enforcement Training Academy and received their badges on May 23 in Sitka, Alaska. ALET Session 25-01 includes 20 Alaska State and Alaska Wildlife Troopers and recruits from 10 city and state agencies.
“These new officers represent the future of law enforcement in Alaska,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy.
Graduating recruits completed over 1,000 hours of training over 17 weeks of basic ALET. Recruits received intensive instruction in law enforcement-related topics, use-of-force and de-escalation, physical fitness, and many scenario-based exercises designed to prepare entry-level police officers and Troopers for successful careers in Alaska law enforcement.
Lieutenant Grant Miller, Academy Commander at Sitka, said, “For many of these men and women, making it through this Academy is an accomplishment they will never forget.”
“These students represent many Alaska law enforcement agencies. The common thread present among all of them was their desire to serve the citizens of Alaska. Today is the day that many of them have thought of for years, and certainly all have dreamed about for the last 17 weeks. Each of them has found within themselves the mental and physical fortitude necessary to complete this training program. It is the same mental and physical toughness that will help carry them throughout their careers.” Said Lt. Miller.
The paramilitary training program emphasizes decision-making, integrity, professionalism, attention to detail, and public service. “The citizens of Alaska expect their law enforcement officers to be professional, ethical, and capable no matter the circumstance, ” Lt. Miller said.
Graduates include:
- Trooper Tyler Anderson, Alaska State Troopers
- Officer Skyler Borane, Anchorage Airport Police & Fire
- Officer Leonardus Castro, Anchorage Airport Police & Fire
- Trooper Abigail Danaher, Alaska State Troopers
- Trooper Schuyler Deeney, Alaska Wildlife Troopers
- Trooper Jess Evans, Alaska State Troopers
- Trooper Levi Farrelly, Alaska State Troopers
- Trooper Andrew Fishe, Alaska State Troopers
- Trooper Noah Gandy, Alaska State Troopers
- Officer Nicolas Herron-Webb, Anchorage Airport Police & Fire
- VPSO Alexa House-Hoffman, Kodiak Area Native Association
- Trooper Elizabeth Jaeschke, Alaska Wildlife Troopers
- Trooper Cody Johnson, Alaska Wildlife Troopers
- Officer Steven Johnston, Juneau Police Department
- VPSO Ryan Lane, Northwest Arctic Borough
- Trooper Nathan Marble, Alaska State Troopers
- Officer Axel McCrumb, Juneau Police Department
- Officer Lucas Michael, Kenai Police Department
- Trooper Wyatt Miller, Alaska State Troopers
- Trooper Brycen Mitten, Alaska State Troopers
- Trooper Christopher Morland, Alaska State Troopers
- Trooper Riley Moss, Alaska State Troopers
- Officer Cajewl Musgrave, Soldotna Police Department
- Trooper Edward Owens, Alaska State Troopers
- Officer Michael Reahl, North Slope Borough Police Department
- Trooper Hunter Shay, Alaska Wildlife Troopers
- Officer Joshua Shrader, Juneau Police Department
- Trooper Stevan Smith, Alaska State Troopers
- Trooper Jonah Strauel, Alaska State Troopers
- VPSO Dakota Strong, Tlingit & Haida
- Officer Tristan Taber, Juneau Police Department
- Trooper Colten Taratko, Alaska State Troopers
- VPSO Manmeet Teja, Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association
- Officer Dylan Vanstralen, Craig Police Department
- Officer Justin Viehweg, Juneau Police Department
- Trooper Ethan Wynecoop, 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 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.
A video recording of the ceremony is available on the Alaska State Troopers Facebook page.