Fairbanks Mayor announces hiring of new Police Chief

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - In a press release sent out Thursday evening, Mayor Matherly and the City of Fairbanks announced that the new Chief of Police would be Fairbanks Police Department Acting Deputy Chief Ron Dupee.

After a public forum that was held on February 9, the Fairbanks Diversity Council provided two recommendations to Mayor Matherly for the position. Ultimately deciding to put forward the names of FPD Acting Deputy Chief Ron Dupee and FPD Acting Chief Richard Sweet.

According to the release, Dupee was born and raised in Fairbanks and is currently raising his three sons here with his wife, Dawniel. After beginning his law enforcement career in 2000, Dupee served with the Alaska State Trooper Wildlife Division and the Unalaska Department of Public Safety before moving his family back to Fairbanks to work with FPD in 2005. Over the last 16 years with FPD, Dupee has risen through the ranks from Officer to Sergeant, Lieutenant, and most recently, Acting Deputy Chief. In the Spring of 2020, he graduated from the highly sought-after training program for law enforcement executives, the FBI National Academy. The Mayor is highly confident that Dupee’s experience and dedication will greatly benefit FPD and the Fairbanks community.

Mayor Matherly’s selection will be on the agenda for City Council confirmation at the February 22 City Council Meeting.