True Blue: Wasilla Police Department Officer retiring

WASILLA — Ruth Josten is retiring from the Wasilla Police Department after serving her community for nearly three decades.

Josten is the first woman officer to retire from WPD, and the first woman officer to reach 20 years of service. She said that women officers are far outnumbered by their male counterparts and she wished she had more female colleagues and role models, but she was able to make a positive impact during her career and that’s what matters most to her.

Josten recalled an experience where she assisted the City of Houston when the city still had a police department. She said there was a crime involving a shooting that took months to resolve. She even had to escort one of the suspects back to Alaska from the Lower 48. She said that in spite of being arrested, that person wrote her a letter and thanked her for calling him and giving him a chance to turn himself in and do the right thing. She said that person was able to turn their life around and stayed true ever since. She still has that letter.

“That’s what it’s all about,” Josten said. “Nobody can take that away.”

Josten started her career in Alaskan law enforcement 29 years ago with the Alaska State Troopers. She was eventually recruited to WPD and remained there for the rest of her time as an officer.

Josten said that she experienced many important milestones throughout her career, including her work in the state’s first child abuse investigation unit.

“That was probably one of the best parts of my work… Knowing that you helped change children’s lives,” Josten said.

Josten grew up in a military family. She said that her father was a military police officer and was a great inspiration to her.

“It just seemed like a natural thing to do,” Josten said.

Josten held positions across various fields before settling into law enforcement. She taught high school, coached gymnastics and worked as a firefighter and medic for Mat-Su Central Fire Department. Regardless of where she worked, she was focused on staying true to herself and helping people wherever she could.

“I think I would have made my father so proud. It’s a career of honor and knowing where your loyalties lay,” Josten said.

A lot has changed in Alaska and the world over the last 29 years. Technology and techniques in criminal investigation have made bold strides forward giving law enforcement officers state of the art tools and resources to tackle today’s problems.

The Mat-Su Valley grew to be the second largest community in the state at an unprecedented rate. Josten has been through all the highs and lows that came with the Valley’s population boom.

“I’ve been very fortunate to be able to see all of that,” Josten said.

Josten said that she learned a lot from her experiences in the field and she gained a lot of valuable insight from various law enforcement mentors over the years. She said one of the biggest lessons she’s learned is the importance of building rapport. She said the most effective law enforcement officer has three important qualities. They have to be even keeled, empathetic and a good listener.

“It has to come from a sincere, genuine place. It has to be real. You can’t fake that,” Josten said.

Josten’s final day as a police officer is Friday, July 10. There will be a retirement party with friends, family, colleagues, and special guests at the WPD station at 10 a.m.

Josten said it’s bittersweet to have to say goodbye to WPD and her career in law enforcement. She said that she made a lot of invaluable connections, and she has so many fond mommies to look back on.

“It just was time. I’ve been so lucky,” Josten said.

Josten said that she’s still wrapping her mind around the fact that she’s going to be wearing just civilian clothes from now on. Her favorite color is blue and she incorporates it into her life as much as possible. Lucky for her, the WPD uniform is blue and she was able to keep a streak of blue in her hair, letting her true colors shine through.

As for retirement, Josten has many plans such as spending time with her family, supporting local youth in various capacities, and traveling the world. She still has her sights set on helping people, especially children one way or another.

“We’ll see. I’ve got a lot of time to think about this,” Josten said with a laugh.

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