Lateral AST

[dannmann1050]

Lateral's position is posted again... Good luck boys and girls :-D

[Red Swan]

Applicants should expect to pay for airfare and lodging while in Anchorage for testing.

mostly other then that it looks like a pretty sweet Gig. anybody here ever go through there lateral transfer, if so how did it work out/how did you like it.

[Airforcop]

Just came upon it here at work. Don't have all my paperwork with me so will need to wait till I get home to properly fill out the Workplace Alaska info. Now the fun begins...

[In It To Win It]

Putting everything together now!

[Airforcop]

mostly other then that it looks like a pretty sweet Gig. anybody here ever go through there lateral transfer, if so how did it work out/how did you like it.

I think that is a generic disclaimer incase things change. Last I and others have heard from the recruiter they pay airfare and lodging for you to come up and test. Rental car and food is on you.

[jimlv]

Hey guys, quick question, and I think that I have asked this question in the past, but the more serious I become about entering the process to move to Alaska the more I think about these things. My main question has to do with quality of schools for kids outside of Anchorage, and the cost of living. Can you get a decent house for low 200's, High 100's. How about heating the house and gas, etc. I am aware that food costs more, but I am talking about the expenses that go into the house. Also how much does rent go for an apartment or a single family home with like 3 bedrooms.

On another note, I spoke with the recruiter, and the package for the troopers is real nice. It has always been my dream to be a trooper versus a city cop because there is so much trust, and so many good people depend on you to protect them. Hopefully I will see you guys up there, I am getting my documents together as we speak.

[ArcticCop]

Hey guys, quick question, and I think that I have asked this question in the past, but the more serious I become about entering the process to move to Alaska the more I think about these things. My main question has to do with quality of schools for kids outside of Anchorage, and the cost of living. Can you get a decent house for low 200's, High 100's. How about heating the house and gas, etc. I am aware that food costs more, but I am talking about the expenses that go into the house. Also how much does rent go for an apartment or a single family home with like 3 bedrooms.

On another note, I spoke with the recruiter, and the package for the troopers is real nice. It has always been my dream to be a trooper versus a city cop because there is so much trust, and so many good people depend on you to protect them. Hopefully I will see you guys up there, I am getting my documents together as we speak.

The quality of schools outside of Anchorage are great. I would even say that in the towns that I have lived in I would rate the schools WAY above Anchorage. Anchorage schools are fine, but like any big city Anchorage has its problems. The smaller communities tend not to have the volume of problems that Anchorage has. So don't worry rural Alaska schools: they are fully acceptable.

As far as housing costs are concerned: they are probably higher that where you are, but then again AST pays a decent wage and the last time I checked all of their Troopers were able to find quality housing. In some remote posts the State provides housing for you.

Good luck with your application!

[leesrt]

Remember you have to wait 12 months from your last application. I applied for their lateral session back in May this year so I can't apply to this one.

[In It To Win It]

Just received the 40 page Doctoral discertation, that is Alaska's application. Yes! I'm so pumped!

[jimlv]

So the recruiter told me that new troopers usually get stationed in Fairbanks, Palmer, or Soldatna right out of the academy. Can anyone describe these cities including weather, recreational, cost of living, etc. Are these some of the nicer cities in Alaska?

[fishAK]

Quick answers:

Fairbanks: One of Alaska's hottest places in the summers (temps in the 80's not uncommon), and coldest in the winter (-55 anyone??). I haven't spent much time there so I can't really get into the cost of living or what it's really like as a community. Recreational activities will include anything outdoorsy, movies, and whatever else you can come up with. There isn't much else there. Good fishing, snow machining, hunting, hiking, biking, etc.

Palmer: In the Mat-Su Valley, about an hour north of Anchorage. Rapidly growing area, becoming more urban all the time. You could theoretically live in Anchorage and commute to work in Palmer. Lots of people do it everyday going the other direction. Not typical city urban, but population-wise it is exploding. Cost of living is on par with Anchorage, although typical house costs are lower. Between Palmer and Wasilla (not far from Palmer), there are most major stores, theaters, restaurants. Lots of outdoor activities year-long. Temperatures similar to Anchorage, although it tends to be constantly windy which can make it feel colder, especially in the winter. The big plus with living/working there is that you can easily travel to Anchorage to fulfill shopping/social needs that Palmer doesn't offer. It's also more centrally located on the highway system, so if you wanted to explore other directions it's not a bad place to start from.

Soldotna: Ideal for fisherman. Located on the Kenai Peninsula and Kenai River. Temps similar to Anchorage although tend to be a little bit cooler in the summer. Winters are about the same, but the weather is more heavily influenced by the ocean then Anchorage. Not as many amenities as this is a smaller community, but has major grocery and several good restaurants, including fast-food chains. During the summer, this is an incredibly busy town, as it is a hub for fisherman and tourists. Once summer ends, it becomes a much more lonely and quiet place. Has nearby ocean access for fishing as well.

Now, where would you want to live? Only you know that, although I'm not sure they give you a choice. I don't know what you're used to, either. If you're a city boy, any of these places will be culture shock. The cost of living in all of these areas is probably higher then you're used to. Gas and groceries will cost more the further you get from Anchorage. I think they all have their good and bad points. Personally, and if I could choose, I'd pick Palmer for for training, with Soldotna second.

[Airforcop]

I'd have to agree with Fish. I lived in Ak for 4 years all of them in Anchorage. Almost bought a house in Wasilla because it was considerably cheaper than Anchorage. I left in 04 so things may have changed. I've traveled to Fairbanks a few times in the winter and it was MUCH colder than Anchorage. I think things have changed since I was last up there, but I was surprised to see that there wasn't even a Walmart in Fairbanks at the time. Pretty sure they have one now.

Have made several trips to Soldotna to fish but never really explored the town. I know they use to be home of the only Dairy Queen in the state back then, lol. For me personaly, given the option Palmer would be my first pick hands down. I'd probably need to do a little more research on what Soldotna has to offer before I'd picked it over Fairbanks.

Unfortunately, I have to call the Director of the Alaska Police Standards Council to see if I am eligble to apply as a lateral. I kind of have a unique situation certification wise that needs to be clarified before I can apply. Will be heart broken if they say no, but life goes on.

[Airforcop]

Double post

[CAleo]

So the recruiter told me that new troopers usually get stationed in Fairbanks, Palmer, or Soldatna right out of the academy. Can anyone describe these cities including weather, recreational, cost of living, etc. Are these some of the nicer cities in Alaska?

I have two friends of mine that are AK State Troopers. They both got stationed out at Palmer, AK after graduating the Academy. So the Palmer rumor from mine own experience is true.

If I were you I would put in for Palmer. I lived there for 2 years and loved every moment of it. The houses are decently priced and cheaper than Anchorage. You could probably get a brand new 2500 square foot house for around 250K. The mortgage would be about $1,800.00 a month.

The food is pricey though but it will be that way anywhere in Alaska you go. Remember though you do get a nice oil revenue check every year (Permanent Fund Dividend). It is a nice check that helps pay the bills.

The only thing that sucks about working as a cop in Alaska is the retirement. That, and the fact my family was here is the only reason I came to California to work as a cop. The money is good up there and you can live decently if you know how to control yourself and utilize that PFD for your benefit.

Good luck

[Zipper]

Soldotna, Fairbanks, and Palmer are the "training posts" after you get out of the academy or start working as a lateral. I'm pretty sure even as a lateral they have you do some form of Field Training just to make sure you're up to snuff. Palmer is definetly the busiest post and you'll see pretty much everything in your first year. Most the troopers I've seen come and go from Palmer post stay somewhere between 2.5 to 3 years before having to "bid" to make a required geographical move to another post. If you get Palmer Post, expect to be down on average 15-20 reports at any given time. I've heard some troopers even down 100+. Definetly not all guts and glory.