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DPS seeks to expand VPSO ranks to 90; officials say retention improving but long-term goals larger
Summary
The Department of Public Safety asked for funding to expand the Village Public Safety Officer program to 90 positions, saying 85 slots are currently filled and retention has improved. Officials described goals to reach 100 positions and noted regional public-safety officers and travel needs for rural policing.
The Alaska Department of Public Safety told the House Finance subcommittee it is proposing an FY26 incremental appropriation of about $1.215 million to expand the Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) program to 90 positions.
“Within this component, we also established a maintenance and operating component to cover leases and operations,” Diana Thornton, administrative services director, said during the presentation.
Commissioner James Cockrell said the department has grown the program from roughly 40 VPSOs three and a half years ago to 85 currently filled positions and that the department’s short-term goal is to reach 100. “If I had a perfect world, I’d have every village that wanted a VPSO to…
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