SPRING 2007 THE DPS QUARTERLY ALASKA The DPS Quarterly WELCOME A Department of Public Safety publication bringing professionalism and humanity together. SPRING 2007 Welcome home Inside Stories to DPS Deputy Colonel Audie Holloway ..................2 Commissioner John Glass Welcome to Spring in Alaska! Comments from Commissioner Walt Monegan Our DPS management team is almost Newer recruitment strategies are being complete; we recently announced the ap- considered, such as marketing the concept pointment of our new Director of the Alaska of a five-year commitment, as opposed to a Wildlife Troopers, Colonel Gary Folger. For 20-25 year one. I fear too many of today’s Colonel Gary Folger .........................3 many of you, such changes are old hat, and youth are wired differently than many of us you continue to work with little or no hesita- were; it seems more of the youth speak of tion; but for some of you, let me explain a personal goals more than of careers. Offer little about what we, as your management them something that is more a resume build- team, intend to tackle. er and a worthy job that will enhance their I know that DPS is our Nation’s most personal image and bank account, and odds unique state police agency, covering an im- are that after five years, many will decide mense geographic expanse of Alaska with to ride out a career like the rest of us did. little of the infrastructure that all the other Five year commitments are also appealing to forty-nine states take for granted. Fact is, those who have retired from one career, like in miniature, my law enforcement experi- the military, but do not apply now because Track Casting in Snow ...................18 ence more replicates what the rest of country they know that they cannot realistically traditionally understands in the way of the promise those 20-25 years. delivery of police service. So, understand- Increased pay and benefits, our promise ing your challenges, what it is that I intend is to work with all our labor unions in find- to offer you is the support and appreciation ing that increased level of compensation that each of you deserve. both sides can live with. We also want to Techniques and technology in the law explore college tuition benefits by working enforcement profession continually evolve, with the U of A system in seeing what can yet we still struggle to keep up with the be agreed to in terms of college classes and pace of our changing society. Each of you degrees. are a part of an ever rarer breed, as best We are seeking and implementing alterna- S.O.M.E. Run Reunion ...................19 exampled in our more challenging attempts tive ways in service delivery which would to increase your numbers. Though our goal alter the fundamental infrastructure in our to help you help others is simple, our plan Alaska Police Standards Council to create will not be. We must grow your numbers, new levels of peace officers. Such new and that includes newer recruitment strate- positions could take the more routine and gies, increasing pay and benefits to be more less challenging requests for police service, competitive, seeking and implementing saving those more demanding and exacting alternative ways in service delivery, and tasks for Troopers. converting each of you into a “recruiter.” (Commissioner, continued on page 2) THE DPS QUARTERLY SPRING 2007 Commissioner, continued from page Finally, with respect to converting each what we signed up with. Our task is to This area also includes exploring the of you into a recruiter, most of you today renew you, not re-make you, and to shelter expansion of specialization in the areas of are quietly going about your tasks with little you as best we can from those “others.” Crime Lab and crime scenes, the use of or no fanfare. Recall when you first sought See? Our goal is simple, but our plan is school resource officers, growing the Alco- out this job? You were all shiney and new, not. It will take all of our energy and hope- hol Beverage Control responsibilities, use of anxious and excited to venture forth to help fully only a little of yours. We want to let online reporting, bringing mobile data trans- those in need and slay dragons. We all were. you re-focus on your missions and be that mitters into patrol cars, and a host of things Over the years our energies were sapped role model that will inspire others to follow both in the works and as yet to be suggested. from those others not seemingly a part of your footsteps. Be Safe. Walt Greetings, from Colonel Audie Holloway building fences, building docks and barns, after being hogtied into the seat. Trooper operating heavy equipment and occasionally Opalka was handling the entire problem by getting to fly. My schedule was completely himself. That was normal operating situa- flexible. I was looking forward to several tions for troopers. I was astounded. I helped hiking and recreational trips around the U.S. Trooper Opalka get the guy to then Humana in the coming months. I was planning to Hospital ER where we had to turn a couch apply for a position in Afghanistan to see over onto the guy in the waiting room and some more of the world. I was having a get several orderlies and other APD cops wonderful time. to help hold the guy down. This was just So the deep thought I had to give to the one of many situations where I worked with offer was not personal, but professional, troopers throughout my career. and it was not about me so much as it was I have also, unfortunately attended sever- about the Alaska State Troopers. Would my al trooper funerals around the state, and have appointment be detrimental to the organiza- seen firsthand that a single trooper cannot tion or could I contribute something to the always handle every event and that it takes organization that would make my selection real courage to get back into your trooper car First of all, I apologize by not being able worthwhile to AST? I had to give this re- and go to the “next close call” just after the to introduce myself in person to everyone, quest careful but complete consideration. I preceding “close call” knowing that you may but time and distance constraints limit that felt a strong pull of duty to accept. As you or may not get backup. possibility. I also apologize for taking so all know, you do not work in public service AST is a proud organization and rightfully long to send out an introductory email, but to become famous or get rich. I still felt a so. An Alaska State Trooper is distinct from Commissioner Monegan and Governor Palin sense of service to Alaska and the people of any other police organization in the world. were trying to keep my selection quiet til Alaska. Also, when someone you respect AST is unique and its tradition and image they could make a public announcement. and trust asks you to consider a request as should never be allowed to deteriorate. Luckily for me, their busy schedules pre- serious as the one proposed and when the I had to consider all these things. And I vented any type of press event. agency is one that you have admired and re- had to consider something else. Was I good I would like to take a moment of your spected for nearly three decades, you want to enough to be an Alaska State Trooper? I al- time to introduce myself, although I do know be sure that you make the right decision. ways thought I was a good cop. I put a lot of many of you and have worked with some in I have worked with numerous AST troop- effort in to my work and I cared about APD the past. My name is Audie Holloway, re- ers and employees in the past. I worked with and the people that I worked with and the cently retired from APD with 26 years of AST narcs off and on since the early 80’s. I ones that worked for me and I cared about service. I was contacted by Commissioner have worked in varying capacities with and the people of Anchorage and the services Walt Monegan and asked to become the for all the previous directors since Colonel APD provided to them. I am proud of my Director of the Alaska State Troopers, the John Murphy and have the deepest respect career. I believe that being a police officer greatest honor that I could imagine myself for the work they did and the responsibility helped me to be an even better person than being offered. I accepted after some deep they carried. The first major call I had with I would have been anyway. Now it seemed thought. My personal situation was such a trooper was with Trooper Mike Opalka in as if I would have to find it in myself to be that I could accept the position. I had recent- 1981 or so. He was in a fight for his life and an even better person if I took the position of ly taken care of some issues for my mother had his eye slashed from a PCP freak on the director. I would have to reach a high stan- in Tennessee. I had bought a small farm and lower Hillside. The suspect was a small guy, dard and then strive for even higher, because was raising some crops and cattle.