Troopers invite residents to enroll in months-long academy

PALMER - Alaska State Troopers are certainly a presence in the Valley, one seen daily around the community. But have you ever wanted a closer view? An inside look at what the job entails?

If so, troopers want to hook you up.

From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Tuesdays starting Jan. 24, troopers will hold a Citizens Academy at the post on Pittman Road.

The program runs for 12 weeks into April and covers topics as diverse as wildlife investigations, search and rescue, Internet crime investigation, firearms training, traffic investigations and more.

But don't get the impression that at the end you'll be deputized or asked to help out with police work.

"The objective of the Alaska State Trooper Citizen Academy is not to train an individual to be a ‘reserve officer' or ‘trooper' but to produce informed citizens," AST reports in a bolded section of the department's website devoted to the program.

Lt. Robert French said anyone who wants to attend can still sign up.

"We are still looking to fill several seats in this class," the lieutenant wrote in an email.

Applications are due Jan. 13 and can be found at dps.alaska.gov/PIO/citizenacademy.aspx.

Applicants have to pass a background check. Felony convictions and some misdemeanor convictions will bar them from participating, according to an AST press statement.

In the program's description, troopers say the idea is to open lines of communication with the public while also educating people about how police agencies work.

"To our citizens, it may frequently appear that troopers are not doing their jobs or are exceeding their authority," the description states. "AST's Citizen Academy can alleviate some misunderstanding by providing citizens a firsthand look at the statutes, regulations and policies which guide troopers in their daily duties."

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.