Recruiting in Alaska?

[2Lucky]

I was wondering if anyone had info on recruiting in good places in Alaska?

Also, do you know if most agencies take laterals?

[jakflak]

Yes, Alaska takes laterals. If you have 5 years on the job (fully commissioned) in another state, you can go through a 2 week lateral academy that introduces you to LE in Alaska.

It's a good place to work; there are a lot of options. If you like the big city, try Anchorage or Fairbanks. If you like the rural option, there are dozens of smaller agencies around the state. If you're not sure, the State Patrol is a great organization.

Do you have any specific questions?

[2Lucky]

Hey, yes I do have specific questions if you wouldn't mind!?!

What is the cost of living like in Anchorage and Fairbanks? Do you know what the pay and benefits are there?

How is the wheather typically?

How big are those two cities? I would prefer to work in larger cities. Have you worked outside of Alaska in law enforcement and if so, can you compare the work atmosphere, such as the types of things you handle on average?

Thanks!!!

[jakflak]

What is the cost of living like in Anchorage and Fairbanks? Do you know what the pay and benefits are there?

I don't know the pay off the top of my head, but I know Anchorage pays rather well. The cost of living really isn't as bad as people think. Rent and home prices are high, but food prices are OK. Anchorage has two Costco's and a Sam's Club, and Fairbanks has a Sam's Club.

As far as real estate goes, the beauty of Alaska is you can live in the city or in a rural setting while working in any city. Nature is never far away. There are places to salmon fish in Anchorage, and I've even seen a wolf pack hunting inside the city. Very cool.

How is the weather typically?

In Anchorage the winters are not bad; the snow removal there is top notch so you don't have to worry much about getting stuck. The summers in Anchoarge are paradise; it usually hovers in the 60's and 70's with 24 hours of daylight (the sun goes down for about 5 hours in the summer, but it never really gets dark).

Fairbanks has a lot more extreme weather. It gets hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Hunting is great near Fairbanks (I've heard).

How big are those two cities? I would prefer to work in larger cities. Have you worked outside of Alaska in law enforcement and if so, can you compare the work atmosphere, such as the types of things you handle on average?

Anchorage is the biggest city in the state; over half the population of Alaska lives there. Fairbanks is a nice size; big enough that everything you need is there, but still bordering on small town sized.

I've worked outside Alaska in LE. In the cities it's very similar (except for bear and moose calls). The Matsu Valley (north of Anchoarge) has a lot of drugs.

Alcohol is banned in almost every bush town (by local decision). That's nice, but a lot of time is spent busting bootleggers. Other than that, it's the same: DV calls, DUI, etc.

[Mystikal]

Not to take the thunder away from the locals... but the anchorage PD salary and benefits can be found on their site.. here at the bottom of the page and the Fairbanks salary is found on their recruitment site... here.

[stiffnecked]

Juneau Police

http://www.juneau.org/personnel/documents/04-076R2_000.pdf

Kotzebue Police

http://kotzpdweb.tripod.com/officerpo.html

More jobs can be found on the State of Alaska Jobs website once you figure out how to work it.

http://www.jobs.state.ak.us/

[daveplaz]

Another thing to consider as well is, if you're considering the State Troopers, although they accept laterals, you'll still have to go through their entire academy just like a recruit. Not sure if Anchorage or Fairbanks do that as well.

[gametime98]

Yes, Anchorage Police's idea of a lateral is far different than that of the lower 48. You have to attend academy and the entire hiring process, the only difference is that you start at a higher pay rate. If available they may have a part time academy, but most likely not.

Good Luck

[gametime98]

One thing you must remember when applying for APD is that you never have the job in the bag. I applied with over 300 people and they are very very picky and set in their own ways. There was an article in the paper about them not being able to recruit officers. I dont think its the candidates, but maybe the process. I began my process there with over 60 candidates from out of state. They hatched it down to five, which I was one and then they sent me the letter. Several thousand dollars later. If you think that because you are a police officer you will get the job think again. I am and my resume was very stacked. Anchorage is a great City and their Police Dept. seems very squared away. I just dont understand what type of candidate they are looking for.

[Airforcop]

I agree with gametime, they are very picky and I had a similar experience as him. We only had about 25 out of staters when I went but only 4 of us made it through the first round of testing (first of 2 1 week trips). Of us 4, 1 maybe 2 got offered a job, I wasn't one of them, lol. Luckily I had lived in Anchorage for a few years prior so I stayed at a friends house and he gave me a car to use for the week, so he saved me a ton of money. If you are looking into it, I suggest you test during the winter. Airline/car rental/hotels are are more than half in the winter than what they are in the summer during peak of toursim.

[Kodiak PA]

I agree with AirForce Cop about APD. I spent literally thousands of dollars flying into Anchorage trying to join, making it through the first selection process and getting their lovely rejection letter after going through all the steps. I did this off season and live in Alaska but it still cost me a ton trying to get there.

Discount airline tickets for both trips (in state): $700
Hotel for both trips: $750
Car rental for both trips: $400
Lost wages from work for 2 weeks: $3K

If I was an out of state applicant I would think very carefully about spending all this money to do this. They want you less than you think they do. We had over 20 out of staters and after the first week only 5 were left. I know after the second trip at least 3 were canned and two of those were active LEO's. I have no idea about the other 2.

Fun time!

[M4fulltime]

There alot of good places to work here in AK. It kind of depends on what your looking for. Are you looking for a small town agency (Sitka, Kodiak, Ketchikan) or a larger agency (Anchorage, Fairbanks, Wasilla?)

The "recruiting" in Alaska is very limited. The only agency that recruits is Anchorage PD. The rest of the PD's generally have enough pool applicants to keep the ranks full. In AK most officers have had to do some "bush time" before working in a large department. Bush time meaning having to work in a village or small town pd. That is what keeps the applicant pool full.

Most departments accept laterals. APD being the only exception. If you are a out of state lateral you have to attend a 2 week resident academy to be certified in AK. (Normal academy is an 18 week resident course (Alaska State Troopers) or 14.5 week municipal officer course.) Both troopers and muni's attend the same academy at the same time. That's nice because when you call for backup, the backup has a similar basic training knowledge.

Pay is fairly good. Anchorage officers start around 57k a year. Fairbanks hourly wage is around $26-$30 an hour (depending on shift.) Most smaller departments start around $20-$22 an hour.

[gametime98]

To all whom have applied to Anchorage Police and made it congrats. It still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I remember after the first trip I was on the airplane and ran into 5-6 guys that were upset about not being invitedback for phaseII. I recall telling those guys hey atleast you dont have to comeback and still not have the job. I have to comeback and I still dont have the job. Boy was I right.
you win some and then some......
Eric

[Airforcop]

It really sucks when you get DQ'ed the first day of the 2nd trip. It gave me time though to catch up with some friends and do some salmon fishing seeing I was still an Alaska resident.

[Kodiak PA]

It also stinks to DQ 3 weeks after the second trip, too...when you're making plans to move, telling your current boss what is happening, booking a ferry reservation because you can't wait until the last minute and finding a new place to live. I did all of those things since it was getting down to the wire and I had no choice but to prepare.

I have to admit this is one of the biggest disappointments of my life and was really hard to get over. I just wanted it more than I should have I guess.