James Hoelscher and Lisa Purinton appointed to DPS leadership positions

Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell recently appointed James Hoelscher as the new Director of the Village Public Safety Officer Division and Lisa Purinton as the new Director of the Statewide Services Division.

“I have worked with James and Lisa throughout my career at DPS and know that they embody the loyalty, integrity, courage, and compassion that drives our department every day,” Cockrell stated in a press release from the Alaska Department of Public Safety. “I know James and Lisa will continue to drive the positive momentum at DPS through these critical leadership appointments and serve our department and State well.”

According to the press release, Hoelscher served his home village, Hooper Bay as Village Public Safety Officer and Police Chief for 20 years.

Hoelscher also worked with the Alaska Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) as an investigator. Prior to joining DPS, he was the enforcement chief for AMCO and worked closely with the Alcohol Beverage Commission (ABC) and Marijuana Control Board in developing regulations.

According to the press release, Purinton started her career with DPS in 2006 as an auditor and trainer for the department’s criminal justice information systems program.

She was promoted on numerous occasions within the Statewide Services Division including to the Criminal Justice Information Systems Bureau Chief position. She most recently served as the department’s legislative liaison advocating for DPS priority legislation and managing relationships with Alaska’s Legislative Branch.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com