Public Safety discusses budget proposal for next year

  • Tuesday, February 3, 2015 11:54pm
  • News

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska’s Department of Public Safety is proposing to cut 24 permanent full-time positions, though an official says no layoffs are planned for the affected workers.

Kelly Howell is the department’s director of administrative services.

She said that figure includes 19 specialized trooper positions that would transfer into currently vacant patrol positions. The budget proposal also would cut additional vacant positions within the troopers and other divisions.

The department proposes cutting some nonpermanent positions, too, including four cold case investigators. Other investigators would assume those duties.

The budget proposal for next year would add several civilian jobs, such as mechanics, within the Alaska Wildlife Troopers as part of an effort to restructure its aircraft section following a 2013 fatal crash.

Budget details were discussed during a House Finance Committee hearing Tuesday.

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