(SitNews) Sitka, Alaska – Eighteen new law enforcement officers from seven different state and municipal agencies graduated from the Department of Public Safety Training Academy in Sitka on November 10, 2011.

A graduation ceremony at the Sheet'Ka Kwaan Na’Kaa Hidi Building in Sitka ended the Alaska Law Enforcement Training (ALET) Session No. 11-02. The 15-week basic ALET includes more than 900 hours of training and incorporates intensive training in law enforcement-related topics, physical fitness and many scenario-based training exercises, all designed to prepare entry level police officers and Alaska State Troopers for a successful career in Alaska law enforcement. The graduates are:

David Parker, Ketchikan Police
Joshua Workman, Ketchikan Police
Anthony Thomas, Park Ranger in the Kodiak region
Benjamin Beck. Juneau Police
Francis de la Fuente, Kodiak Police
Rodney Etheridge, Dillingham Police
Jacob Graham, Alaska Wildlife Troopers
David Harrell, Alaska State Troopers
Nicholas Hayes, Alaska State Troopers
Hunter Hull, Alaska State Troopers
Olnick Hultstrand, Alaska State Troopers
Richard Matthews, Alaska Wildlife Troopers
Sean O’Brien, Alaska State Troopers
Kristopher Sperry, Alaska Wildlife Troopers
Tyler Stuart, Alaska State Troopers
Patrick Vaughan Juneau Police
Justin vonEhr. Alaska State Troopers
Michael Yant, Nome Police

After graduation, the Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Wildlife Troopers recruits continue their training at the academy for an additional three weeks. This training session is often referred to as Trooper Basic. The trooper recruit receives 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, pepper ball and Stinger spike system. They are also exposed to additional scenario-based training events.

Also receiving their badges at the ceremony last Thursday are three Alaska State Trooper lateral hires. They have prior law enforcement experience equivalent to what is required by the Alaska Police Standards Council. Lateral hires aren’t required to go through the 15-week ALET. Instead, they completed a four-week lateral academy and will attend the four-week Trooper Basic with the others. They are:

Jacob Abbott, Alaska Wildlife Troopers
Jared Noll, Alaska State Troopers
Gabriel Rich, Alaska State Troopers

Upon graduation from Trooper Basic, recruits move to their first duty assignment and begin a 15-week Field Training and Evaluation Program. 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.

Source of News: 

Alaska Department of Public Safety
www.dps.state.ak.us

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