B Detachment
On behalf of “B” Detachment commissioned personnel and our civilian employees welcome! Mission: To serve and protect the people of Alaska through fair and objective enforcement of the law. To search for and rescue those in need. To develop and encourage personnel who embrace and put into practice our values. To build and foster partnerships with the people of Alaska to enhance performance of our duties. “B” Detachment is headquartered in Palmer with additional posts located in Wasilla and Glennallen. The detachment is staffed by 78 full-time employees including 58 commissioned Alaska State Troopers, 7 Court Services Officers and 13 civilian administrative support personnel as of 2017. There are 33 troopers and 4 sergeants serving the Palmer, Wasilla, and Talkeetna areas in addition to 4 troopers and 1 sergeant in Glennallen. The Criminal Suppression Unit of 3 troopers and 1 sergeant, is a specialized unit formed in 2014 that is dedicated to investigating and combating property crimes. “B” Detachment General Investigations Unit hosts 6 investigators and 1 sergeant whose focus is complex major crimes. Another essential component of the detachment are the 7 Court Services Officers, 1 trooper, and 1 sergeant assigned to the Palmer Judicial Services Unit serving the Palmer Courthouse. Command staff consists of one Captain and two Lieutenants. The detachment is supported by 13 administrative personnel.
In 2015, Mat-Su surpassed the Fairbanks North Star Borough to become the second-largest in the state. Mat-Su also topped the 100,000 mark for population in the past year. Officially formed in 1964, the borough encompasses a large region at the head of Cook Inlet where three large rivers (Matanuska, Susitna, and Knik) descend out of the mountains to meet the sea. A lowland plain between the rivers, scoured by glaciers, contains most of the population and settlement. (Alaska Economic Trends March 2016). The Detachment covers approximately 52,465 square miles of territory, an area slightly larger than the entire State of Arkansas. The detachment is responsible for 2,845 road miles within its boundaries. This is approximately 21% of the 13, 298 miles of public roadway in Alaska. This does not take into consideration the vast number of trails that crisscross the detachment and are utilized by recreational traffic year round. The remaining residents were under the care of the four local law enforcement agencies.
An estimated 74,521 people, or 72 percent of the population within detachment boundaries, resided in an area covered by the Palmer and Wasilla posts. These two posts had a combined 31 troopers assigned to work regular patrol. That averages one trooper per 2,403 people. Likewise, the four troopers at the Glennallen post responded to calls for help in an area that had an estimated 3,030 residents – an average of 757 for every trooper. The detachment have five assigned Village Public Safety Officer positions located in Chistochina, Gakona, Gulkana, Tatitlek and Tazlina.
“B” Detachment is a team of people dedicated to the citizens of the Matanuska Susitna Valley and the State of Alaska that strive to not only provide premium law enforcement but to also truly be a part of the community we serve. You will often find us at various community events, visiting schools throughout the Borough, participating in the Santa’s Uniformed Elves program and even stopping by to wish a Happy Birthday or two!