New guy from Oklahoma here....a thank you to this Alaska forum.

[bortstc37]

Originally Posted by Lawman_Kyle

According to them I can bid for anywhere I want and most times you get your bid if they have an opening. But regardless I'll do whatever is asked of me. I have a buddy who went up there and he served his 1 year probabtion in sitka, and then was posted there too.

it's also easier to find teaching jobs in the bush...
don't be frightened, though. i happen to prefer not being on the road system. it's lovely out here.

[Metlakatla]

You've got something good going for you in that your wife likes the outdoors.

A lot of new Troopers get sent to my island (sorry but you probably won't get wherever you bid for right at first) and the main problem they seem to have is that the wives are for the most part very unhappy. Having a spouse that appreciates the outdoors is definitely a plus.

Be advised though...and please don't take it personally....that some of us out in rural Alaska are getting a little bit tired of outside law enforcement coming in and "doing their time" until they get stationed wherever else they want to be (invariably in the more urban areas).

In fact, on my island, there is some pretty strong anti-trooper sentiment. Personally, I've always been a law abiding citizen but I can tell you right now that we were better off before the state saw fit for whatever reason to inundate us with troopers. There really isn't that much crime; it does seem that the troopers there tend to look for trouble and they tend to keep within their very insular little group.

There is a very strong feeling in some parts of rural Alaska that this new influx of troopers has little interest beyond putting in a year or so--which in itself is fine; they are trying to develop a career, no harm in that. Except...some of these places are turning into micro-police states.

You can help change this, should you get stationed in rural Alaska, by thinking of it as more than just "doing your time". Get to know the local people....particularly the long standing business people. Involve yourself in the community instead of just standing apart from it like so many of the troopers "doing their time" these days tend to do.

Sorry if I sound harsh, but you deserve to know what it can be like in certain parts of the state. It used to be that our law enforcement was made up long term people who knew the families and the community and were part of them themselves. Anymore, it' just outsiders coming in to do their time.

I would encourage anyone considering going to rural Alaska to work in law enforcement to think very deeply about the concept of "community", and at least make a partial commitment that.

[Rance]

Man, I pay that amount for 2 vehicles and thats only liability! Maybe I need to switch from Geico?
I pay less than half what you do for electric bill a month. But my house is small and well insulated. Even if it's 30 below for 2 weeks straight. And the local company is dropping the rates as I speak.
Grocery shopping can be a drag in Soldotna/Kenai...but there are a few stores to choose from and one of them always has some sort of sales.
Rentals are similar in price for a decent place on the Kenai Peninsula as what you mentioned. But maybe...just maybe...the rate of pay may be a little better here so it won't bite too bad on the wallet.
Best of luck on your venture.

[Lawman_Kyle]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

You've got something good going for you in that your wife likes the outdoors.

A lot of new Troopers get sent to my island (sorry but you probably won't get wherever you bid for right at first) and the main problem they seem to have is that the wives are for the most part very unhappy. Having a spouse that appreciates the outdoors is definitely a plus.

Be advised though...and please don't take it personally....that some of us out in rural Alaska are getting a little bit tired of outside law enforcement coming in and "doing their time" until they get stationed wherever else they want to be (invariably in the more urban areas).

In fact, on my island, there is some pretty strong anti-trooper sentiment. Personally, I've always been a law abiding citizen but I can tell you right now that we were better off before the state saw fit for whatever reason to inundate us with troopers. There really isn't that much crime; it does seem that the troopers there tend to look for trouble and they tend to keep within their very insular little group.

There is a very strong feeling in some parts of rural Alaska that this new influx of troopers has little interest beyond putting in a year or so--which in itself is fine; they are trying to develop a career, no harm in that. Except...some of these places are turning into micro-police states.

You can help change this, should you get stationed in rural Alaska, by thinking of it as more than just "doing your time". Get to know the local people....particularly the long standing business people. Involve yourself in the community instead of just standing apart from it like so many of the troopers "doing their time" these days tend to do.

Sorry if I sound harsh, but you deserve to know what it can be like in certain parts of the state. It used to be that our law enforcement was made up long term people who knew the families and the community and were part of them themselves. Anymore, it' just outsiders coming in to do their time.

I would encourage anyone considering going to rural Alaska to work in law enforcement to think very deeply about the concept of "community", and at least make a partial commitment that.

No offense taken....as thats the way a majority of people feel about law enforcement. LEO definitely need to go out of their way to get involved in the community. My first department was in a town of 700 people and most were backwoods hill billies who had no respect for law enforcement. Bottom line is you have to treat people the way you would want to be treated, because they just might be the person driving by while your on a traffic stop fighting for your life. You would hope they would come to your aid....but don't expect it if your a jerk all the time.

Rance I have Geico as well my man. Driving records squeaky clean, but the wife has two speeding tickets on hers. I figured insurance rates would be quite a bit higher due to snow and ice conditions.

Anyways thanks for the kind and even insightful replies so far folks. No worries about hurting my feelings, or sounding too harsh. I'm thick skinned and can take it.....just don't talk bad bout my mama or wife

[warptman]

Remember, no one likes drastic change in Alaska. Don't carry a chip on your shoulder and have "this is how we did it back home" mentality. Like Met said, go out and introduce yourself to the public and join up in local programs whatever they might be.

[Rance]

And give Warptman a speeding ticket on his mountain bike!

[AADAD]

My 02 from having worked in native villages is just keep your ears open and wear a smile......it's their house, play nice.