THE DPS QUARTERLY Alaska the DPS Quarterly Welcome a Department of Public Safety Publication Bringing Professionalism and Humanity Together
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WINTER 2006 THE DPS QUARTERLY ALASKA The DPS Quarterly WELCOME A Department of Public Safety publication bringing professionalism and humanity together. WINTER 2006 Inside Stories Colonel Grimes Retires ...................2 Welcome to DPS Commissioner Walt Monegan Farewell From Commissioner Bill Tandeske Returning to the department as Com- to make necessary changes within the orga- missioner four years ago was a tremendous nization. There is no question that “change” International Award .........................6 honor. To be asked to lead this outstand- is not easy. That said, by making bold but ing organization that I have spent the vast necessary changes, we improved our over- majority of my adult life with was truly a all effectiveness, garnered support from “once in a lifetime” opportunity. Our lead- lawmakers who appropriate funding, and ership team was committed to making the produced tangible results for our constitu- most of our opportunity to make a differ- ents. ence for the public and our employees. The contributions of our leadership team We achieved an impressive list of ac- cannot be overstated. Deputy Commissioner complishments – they would not have been Ted Bachman, Assistant Commissioner possible without the support of employees Gretchen Pence, Division Directors Julia at every level of the organization! Together, Grimes, Gary Powell, David Schade, and A Last Resort ..................................14 we were successful in strengthening every Dan Spencer have been key to our success. aspect of the department through increased I thank each of them for their efforts over funding, additional employees, new office the past four years. and housing facilities, and equipment. My last day as an Alaska State Trooper Several projects are underway and it is in 1999 was bittersweet. As I leave office my hope that they will be completed by and make my second attempt at retirement, the incoming administration. One is the I have many of the same feelings. Although new Crime Lab. Planning, design and site Debbie and I look forward to more time in acquisition are in progress and construction the Arizona sun, Alaska will remain home start is anticipated in 2008. and the department will remain Another is patrol car video and family. Fire Training Engine ......................19 radar systems. The order has As I reflect on my nearly been placed to upgrade every 30 years of service with DPS, highway based patrol vehicle. I realize I could not have been Additional rural housing proj- more fortunate to be associated ects are also in progress. with the fine employees, past As impressive as our tangi- and present, of this organiza- ble project results have been, I tion. My time with you has believe that the most important truly been a privilege. Thank contribution of our administra- you for all that you do. tion has been our willingness THE DPS QUARTERLY WINTER 2006 Alaska State Troopers Colonel Julia Grimes Retires Director of the Alaska State Troop- land, sea and multi engine rating, and had ers, Colonel Julia Grimes, announced her acquired 2,800 hours of flying experience retirement effective November 30th 2006, with air taxis, flying aircraft equipped with concluding nearly 24 years of State service. both wheels and floats. Colonel Grimes leaves behind a career with Colonel Grimes spent a total of 2 years in the Drug Enforcement Unit and was the Colonel Grimes in the making of a first female trooper trained as a K-9 handler recruitment Commercial when she was partnered with scent detection K-9 Veteran. Department of Public Safety Commissioner Colonel Grimes flew many missions in Bill Tandeske said of Colonel Grimes’ ap- support of drug enforcement efforts state- pointment, “strong leadership is essential wide and in 992 she transferred to King and Colonel Grimes will provide that leader- Salmon and then to Dillingham where she ship.” spent six years in Bristol Bay flying in Under Colonel Grimes’ leadership, the support of the rural enforcement mission. division experienced an emphasis on profes- Additionally, she was one of the few-ever sionalism, as well as a focus on the Trooper’s flying DARE instructors. six core missions of highway traffic enforce- Colonel Grimes served in a wide range of ment, rural law enforcement, statewide drug duty assignments including Palmer Patrol, and alcohol enforcement, statewide major the Alaska State Troopers that can best be supervisor of the Airport Interdiction Team, crimes investigations, wildlife enforcement, described as “historic.” investigator in the Criminal Investigation and quality statewide training. Colonel Grimes was born and raised in Bureau, sergeant in charge of warrants, Colonel Grimes was a graduate of the western Pennsylvania and came to Alaska fugitives, and extraditions for the Judicial 22th Session of the F.B.I. National Academy in January 982 after being furloughed Services Unit, and as a lieutenant, assigned and a graduate of the 27th Session of the from United Airlines as a Commercial Air to the Director’s staff as the permits/licens- National Executive Institute in Quantico, Transport Pilot. Colonel Grimes, then Julia ing supervisor. Virginia. Canter, continued flying, securing work as In May 2003, Colonel Grimes was the While many of us are bracing for a dark, an air taxi pilot and flight instructor in Fair- first female trooper promoted to the rank of cold winter in Alaska, Retired Colonel Julia banks and Ketchikan. captain and shortly thereafter she became the Grimes will be in Florida with her husband Colonel Grimes began her career with the first female trooper appointed as the Director of 2 years, retired trooper Jimmy Grimes, Alaska State Troopers in January 983. In of the Alaska State Troopers. In announc- living 8 blocks from the beach, and getting July of 984, Colonel Grimes became the ing her promotion to colonel, Governor plenty of riding time in on their Harleys. first female trooper put on flight status with Frank Murkowski said of Colonel Grimes, “Thank You” Julia for your many years the Department of Public Safety. At that “I have been impressed by her strong lead- of distinguished service and leadership! We time, she held a commercial pilot certificate ership principles, as well as the energy and wish you the very best as you announce, with an instrument rating, airplane single vision she brings to her new assignment.” “-H- is 0-7.” 2 WINTER 2006 THE DPS QUARTERLY Legislators Honored For Safety Advocacy National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Kevin Quinlan, Chief Safety Ad- vocacy Division, presented State Safety Leadership Awards to the State of Alaska and four state legislators for adopting a graduated driver licensing law for young drivers and a primary safety belt use law, on August 28, 2006, at the State Crime Lab in Anchorage. “This is very exciting to celebrate both legislative leadership and adoption of proven Kevin Quinlan from the NTSB with Rep. Lesil McGuire, Rep. Con Bunde and Rep. measures that will save lives of Alaska’s Bruce Weyhrauch most precious resource, its people,” Quinlan in a safer environment and “graduate” to the tation, a plaque was awarded in Fairbanks to said. next phase and to full licensure. Sen. Ralph Seekins. Alaska had one of the nation’s weakest Alaska’s belt use rate of 76.7 percent in “Preventing highway crashes, fatalities, licensing laws for young drivers. Although 2004 was worse than that of 30 other States and injuries is everyone’s business. We need teen drivers make up only 7.24 percent of and consistently below the national average. to take advantage of these new laws and the driving population in Alaska, they were There was a slight increase in 2005. With seek to build a new consensus that highway involved in 5.7 percent of all highway fatali- the secondary enforcement restrictions now safety is a public priority, so that reducing ties in 2003. Data from 2004 indicate a slight removed from the belt use law, the use rate traffic crashes receives ongoing attention and decrease in teen fatalities that is expected should increase and fatalities decrease as resources,” said Quinlan. to continue as the law affects more young they have in 24 other States. Graduated driver licensing has been on the drivers. Alaska’s comprehensive graduated Plaques were awarded in Anchorage to Safety Board’s Most Wanted list of safety driver licensing law includes a 3-stage sys- Sen. Con Bunde, Rep. Lesil McGuire, and recommendations since 994; primary safety tem so that young drivers can develop skills Rep. Bruce Weyhrauch. In a later presen- belt laws have been on the list since 998. Parks Highway Safety Corridor By Greg Wilkinson, PIO On Monday October 6, 2006, the record nationally in making highways safer. posted speed limit - the fine goes from $80 Parks Highway from MP 44.5 to MP 53 was The roll-out of this zone, in cooperation with to $160; speeding 20 mph over the posted designated as a Highway (Traffic) Safety the Alaska Highway Safety Office and the speed limit - the fine goes from $240 to Corridor. The corridor is clearly marked Department of Public Safety, is expected to $480; passing on a double yellow line - the with signs as a vehicle enters the corridor have the same results.” fine is doubled to $300 and in this case the and as they exit the corridor. There are According to Alaska Statute 28.40.070 points are also doubled to a total of four reminders of the corridor about every three - fines for offenses committed within high- points on your license. Seatbelt and child miles. The signs clearly indicate that double way work zones and traffic safety corridors restraint fines are also doubled in the safety fines apply. are doubled. Whenever a person violates a corridor, as are fines for unsecured loads This is the second Highway (Traffic) provision of this title or a regulation adopted (from $300 to $600).