Anchorage Daily News

It was with great dismay that Public Safety Employees Association members learned about the unexplained firing of Commissioner Walt Monegan.

For the first time in years, our membership -- troopers, municipal officers, and airport police and firefighters -- were beginning to believe that there was a commissioner at the helm who had a clear understanding of what it means to put a bulletproof vest on everyday and go into harm's way.

We felt that there was someone in charge who understood that the state is understaffed by 200 troopers, who understood that the lack of up-to-date training borders on negligence, and that without a long-range plan to improve law enforcement across the state, Alaska's families are only going to become even more unsafe than they are now.

It was refreshing to have a commissioner who grew up in rural Alaska and had experience running a large police department. To have someone with true statewide perspective is vital if we are to provide real law enforcement services to everyone.

The governor must be aware of the abysmal crime statistics in Alaska. She ran her campaign on a platform of public safety. These statistics are a disgrace. Alaska ranks No. 1 in forcible rape, No. 3 in aggravated assault, 15th in vehicle theft and 22nd in murder and manslaughter.

Not only are these numbers completely unacceptable, but this is one of the most dangerous places in the U.S. to put on a police uniform. Officers in rural Alaska regularly work without backup. Forty-two officers have been killed in the line of duty since 1950. To equal that number, 1,400 officers would have to have been killed in New York City alone. No other state would stand for this carnage.

Against the backdrop of a law enforcement system that has been stretched beyond the breaking point, Gov. Palin fires the commissioner and "suggests" that $2.5 million be cut from the Alaska State Troopers budget.

Cut $2.5 million from a budget that comes nowhere close to protecting Alaska's citizens, while we have billions of dollars in surplus? Fire a commissioner who understands what the problems are and who had a long-range plan to move law enforcement into the 21st century?

And the reason is that the governor wants to head in a new direction. What direction would that be, Governor? What exactly is your plan to make our families safer? What will be the consequence of cutting $2.5 million from public safety? Who did you talk to before you decided to "change direction"?

In her campaign, Gov. Palin stressed the importance of making Alaska a safe place to live and raise children. She stressed the importance of public safety. She continually references transparency and openness in government.

Not only do the men and women who wear the uniform of a police officer have a right to know why Commissioner Monegan was fired, the public has a right to know.

And if the firing was really only about a "new direction," we all have a right to know what that direction is and how will it make Alaskans safer. Governor, it's time to be honest with Alaska.

John Cyr is executive director of the Public Safety Employees Association.

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