Alaska State Trooper Citizen Academy
The Division of Alaska State Troopers is starting up a Citizen Academy Program. The first session will take place January 24, 2012. The program is designed to promote and enhance citizen understanding and awareness of the role of the Alaska State Troopers within your community.
The objective of the Alaska State Trooper Citizen Academy is not to train an individual to be a "Reserve Officer" or "Trooper" but to produce informed citizens.
The role of troopers has always been of interest to the average citizen. The television media has capitalized upon this curiosity with shows such as "Cops", "America's Most Wanted", "Stories of the Highway Patrol", "CSI" and specifically the more recent documentary/reality television episodes about our Alaska State Troopers. Each week, real police action is broadcast into the living rooms of millions of Americans. The media has placed their own "spin" on the reality of policing in America, creating unrealistic Hollywood ideals and providing misinformation to citizens across the country. Our AST program is based on Citizen Police Academy (CPA) programs being formed by police agencies all over America. CPA's are intended to open the lines of communication between the community and their local police and help expand a police agencies community based efforts. To our citizens, it may frequently appear that troopers are not doing their job or are exceeding their authority. AST's Citizen Academy can alleviate some misunderstanding by providing citizens a firsthand look at the statutes, regulations and policies which guide troopers in their daily duties.
Advance registration is required for the Academy. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and reside in the State of Alaska. Additionally, Participants must pass a background investigation including a criminal history check- felony and some misdemeanor convictions will preclude participation in the Citizens Academy.
