The Wildlife Investigations Unit (WIU) is responsible for the investigation of complex or high-value commercial fishery crimes, large-scale or ongoing hunting and guiding violations, as well as sport fish guiding violations. WIU may assume responsibility for large cases or provide expertise and sophisticated equipment in support of efforts by field Troopers.
The WIU works closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, federal prosecutors, similar agencies from other states and the Alaska Department of Law’s Office of Special Prosecutions.
Aircraft are utilized for transporting Troopers as they perform their daily activities. Those activities may include fish and wildlife patrols and investigations, prisoner transports, criminal investigations or search and rescue operations.
Troopers may operate one of several aircraft, depending upon their duty assignment.
Fixed wing assets include:
PA-18 Piper Super Cubs and Cessna 172’s, 182’s 185’s and 206’s on wheels, skis, floats, and amphibious float configurations
flown by both sworn and civilian pilots
Beechcraft 350i King Air and Cessna 208 Caravans flown by civilian pilots
Rotary wing assets include:
R44 helicopters operated by both sworn and civilian pilots and the H-125 is operated by dedicated civilian pilots
Within our department, we have both commissioned (State Trooper) and civilian aircraft pilots; the vast majority are commissioned. To qualify for consideration sworn officers must have a 2nd class medical, and an approved training request. The primary flight crew for the King Air and A-Star Helicopters are civilian pilot positions. There are also a few civilian pilot positions in Fairbanks and Western Alaska locations like Bethel and Kotzebue. The commissioned DPS pilots use the department aircraft like patrol vehicles.
Our aircraft section is currently the largest of any state police agency in the US, with 43 aircraft.
1 – Beechcraft King Air 350i
2 – Airbus A-Star B3e
3 – Cessna 208 Caravan
6 – Robinson R44
2 – Cessna 172 (180 HP)
1 – Cessna 182 (300 HP)
6 – Cessna 206
6 – Cessna 185
24 – Piper Super Cub
Occasionally, there are civilian pilot positions that become available, but they seem to be few and far between. If you have aspirations of becoming a pilot for the State Troopers in Alaska, the best way, by far, is through the application process to become a trooper. If hired, once you have completed probation (one year of employment), and when/if in a location where there is a need for another DPS pilot, you could go through the selection process. Although there is no guarantee of becoming a DPS pilot when hired, the department is continuously in need of more pilots. There is a 5% additional duty pay for all authorized commissioned pilots with a rank of Trooper, Investigator or Sergeant.
Troopers may operate one of several patrol vessels, dependent upon duty assignment. Select Troopers are sent to the FLETC Boat Operators Course in Georgia. Marine patrols could be just for the day, several days or, on major vessels, can last 45 days, with 200 plus days of the year at sea. Vessels are primarily used in fisheries enforcement, proactive patrols and search and rescue operations. The Marine Section also trains Troopers on the job, to run jet boats, skiffs, or medium class vessels.
Major vessel assets include:
156-foot P/V Stimson
65-foot catamaran P/V Camai
Other assets include:
13 – 27 to 33 foot patrol vessels
Various smaller boats for fresh and saltwater patrol
Candidate Assistance Video Series
State of Alaska Department of Public Safety, 5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507, Phone: (907) 269-5511