Troopers get new criminal investigations chief

ANCHORAGE -- Capt. David Ray Hudson has been named as the new commander of the Criminal Investigations Bureau of the Division of Alaska State Troopers.

Hudson, a 16-year trooper veteran, assumed his new position on Nov. 1. As commander of CIB, Hudson oversees the Statewide Criminal Investigation Unit, the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit and the Criminal Intelligence Unit, according to a press release announcing his new position.

Hudson most recently served as the division staff supervisor overseeing the work of six lieutenants on the division director's staff. Previously, he had served as a patrol trooper in Fairbanks, a staff instructor at the Director of Public Safety Training Academy in Sitka, an undercover drug agent, the supervisor of the Alaska State Trooper Post in Homer, the supervisor of the CB Missing Persons Unit, the division's legislative liaison, and as the deputy commander of "C" Detachment serving all of western Alaska.

In addition to his service as a trooper, Hudson has enjoyed a 30-year career in the military and is currently a command sergeant major with the Alaska Army National Guard, where he serves as the commandant of the Alaska Regional Training Institute on Fort Richardson.

Hudson holds a master's degree in Organizational Management from the University of LaVerne in California, and a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. Hudson attended the 203rd session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and also completed the Army's Sergeant Major Academy.

Hudson succeeds Capt. Dennis Casanovas as CIB commander. Casanovas is now serving as commander of "B" Detachment in Palmer.

Hudson has been married for 19 years to his wife Denise, according to the release. They live with their dog Tucker in Eagle River.