Figures show Alaska state troopers remain nearly 90% white
Published: Jul. 7, 2020 at 5:24 AM AKDT
A vast majority of Alaska State Troopers are white, making the primary statewide law enforcement agency substantially less diverse than Alaska’s population.
Alaska Public Media reported about 87% of the state’s 355 troopers are white, compared to 65% of Alaska’s population.
The figures released by Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy's administration show Alaska Natives and Native Americans have the next largest representation among troopers at 5%, while those groups represent about 20% of the overall population.
The agency says it plans to devote extra time to targeting applicants from diverse groups through advertising and recruiting within the nation’s military branches.
