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Lt. Kim Wannamaker of the Kenai Police Department and Kenai City Manager Rick Koch wished former police chief Chuck Kopp luck as he filled in the shoes of Walt Monegan as Alaska's new Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. Governor Sarah Palin appointed Kopp to the position Monday in the hopes that his commitment will help combat the drug and alcohol problems in rural Alaska.

"It's obviously a wonderful opportunity for Chuck," Wannamaker said. "It has been among his aspirations to improve himself and expand himself professionally. I'm sure that he'll find the work challenging and that he'll do the best job that he can."

Wannamaker, who is currently serving as the department's acting police chief until another is found, said Kopp's announcement wasn't a big surprise to the police department. Kopp started as Kenai police chief in 2002, so while it will be weird not seeing him around the department, Wannamaker said the police officers will go about their duties as usual.

"The department pretty much runs itself," he said. "We have a tremendous group of professionals working here and some very capable people. It is a great department to lead."

In a written statement issued Monday, Kopp said he's very proud of the men and women who staff the five divisions of the Department of Public Safety, including Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Wildlife Troopers, as well as the three councils within the department.

"The employees of DPS truly display the character qualities of loyalty, integrity and courage," he said, "not just in motto, but in action."

Kopp stated that his leadership will put an emphasis on all the divisions within the department bringing the highest level of accountable and responsive service to Alaskans.

He also said he will continue to promote the best work environment for public safety employees and be accountable and responsive to the Office of the Governor as he executes his duties.

"I will maintain the integrity and mission of each division and council, exercise fiscal responsibility in all capital projects and program expenditures and address the recruitment and retention needs critical to the mission of DPS," he said. "I thank the governor and the people of Alaska who have placed a great trust in me. I will honor that trust and will work each day to deepen and strengthen it."

Koch started working on recruitment for the now vacant position of Kenai Chief of Police, he said. Recruitment notices will be posted on the city of Kenai's Web site, he said, as well as through state job services and public safety organizations. There are many qualified police officers on the force who might be interested in Kopp's former position, he said.

"(We're looking for) somebody who can provide a strong, stable direction for the department," he said.

Koch said he knows Kopp will do an exemplary job as Commissioner of Public Safety, and that he's confident that at some point Kopp and his family will return to the city of Kenai.

"In the short term it'll be Kenai's loss," he said. "But for his family it's an opportunity for all of them to experience new adventures and new challenges and I'm sure it'll be a wonderful experience for them."

Jessica Cejnar can be reached at jessica.cejnar@peninsulaclarion.com.