Police Jobs (Anchorage, Fairbanks, Bethel: rent, travel, school)

[Bostonredsock5]

My wife and I have been planning to move up to Alaska for some time now, but before we go I wanted to make sure we could have jobs. Currently Im in school as well as a member of the National Guard, so I hope that would help. I was looking into the State police as well as Anchorage and Wasilla. So is there a high demand for Police officers up there? Any info would be a huge help

[warptman]

There is need for Officers all across Alaska, especially here in Bethel. Heres a few links for Anchorage PD.
Anchorage Police Career Opportunities

City Of Bethel PD
http://www.cityofbethel.org/
follow the links to the Police Department

City of Fairbanks
City of Fairbanks Police Department: Employment

[stiffnecked]

Bethel is down to it's last three police officers. #4,5, & 6 left to take jobs with Fairbanks PD. Your best bet for an entry level law enforcement job is with the Alaska Dept. of Corrections. Get on there for a couple of years and then you can go about anywhere in Alaska without going broke.

[Bostonredsock5]

Good to hear, thank very much for the replies

[travelmate38]

Law Enforcement positions are abundent at the moment in Alaska. You have college, you have military experience........I would guess if you're half way determined, of a sane mind, etc; you would have a good job. Now for the record, not all jobs types are this way in Alaska. Just a select few and you picked on of them. Overall, I unemployment is higher then the national average.

[RayinAK]

You can apply for such jobs online. I would recommend you do that first, and travel to Alaska, if you have to, for the interview (unless you can do that via tele-conferencing). It's just to expensive to come here, and then to have to compete with others who may want the same job. Most applicants don't want to apply for jobs in isolated places, and these usually have job openings. Not only that, but "isolated" is real isolated to some folks: like no roads out of town

[User 2]

The Tundra Drums - Another of Bethel's finest departs

[Bostonredsock5]

Originally Posted by User 2

The Tundra Drums - Another of Bethel's finest departs

Thast was a great article. I read that when your first join the State police they have you train in a one of three areas that are pretty populated or have acesss (Fairbanks, Palmer, dont recall the 3rd). I have a wife and child so I kind of want to go some where that has road acess in and out to populated areas. Also, I need to be able to get to my unit when I transfer to the Alaska National Guard every month. However, if I need to get my foot in the door and go some place remote I could do that.

[warptman]

You can transfer in the Guard out here if you wanted to.

[rotorhead]

Keep in mind that the AK State Troopers academy is in Sitka, which is quite expensive to rent and live in if you're planning on bringing along the family for the duration of the initial course (about four months). Their policies might post you to Anchorage or Palmer for some or all of your probationary period, but be assured that your initial assignment will be in a remote location, perhaps literally at the ends of the earth. Only those troopers who have accrued considerable seniority can generally get an assignment in a community thats on the road system, let alone the major cities.

The troopers are typically the ONLY law and often the only EMS/Search&Rescue available in most of the states more remote locations, and also have the responsibility to enforce the states wildlife conservation laws as well. It a huge responsibility, and you'll need a much wider variety of skills than the typical beat cop. Not everyone is up to the challenge but if you're the right kind of person for the job it offers considerably more variety than most law enforcement positions.