(SITKA, Alaska) – Eighteen new law enforcement officers from five different state and municipal agencies graduated from the Department of Public Safety Training Academy in Sitka Friday. A graduation ceremony at the Sheet'Ka Kwaan Na'Kaa Hidi Building in Sitka ended the Alaska Law Enforcement Training (ALET) Session No. 12-02.

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:

Edwin Anderson, Alaska State Troopers
Michael Bauzon, Anchorage Airport Police & Fire
Dale Bothroyd, Anchorage Airport Police & Fire
Keith Byrne, Juneau Police
Daniel Harmeling, Anchorage Airport & Fire
Steven Heilman, Anchorage Airport & Fire
Sarah Herrin, Kenai Police
Charles Jetton, Alaska State Troopers
John Maddy, Anchorage Airport Police & Fire
Treat Main, Anchorage Airport Police & Fire
Michael Munson, Alaska State Troopers
Adam, Ronchetti, Anchorage Airport Police & Fire
Jacob Ruebelmann, Homer Police
Mathew Sidders, Alaska State Troopers
Margaret Stang, Alaska Wildlife Troopers
Charles Taggart, Alaska Wildlife Troopers
Eric Taylor, Alaska State Troopers
Eric Thompson, Anchorage Airport Police & Fire

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 today are four 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 three-week Trooper Basic with the others. They are:

James Eyester from Chester Field Police Department (Virginia)
Peter Steen from Palmer Police Department
Charles Withers from Anchorage Airport Police & Fire
Eric Olsen, former Alaska State Trooper returning to the ranks after recovering from an injury*

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.