Alaska Department of Public Safety fills two key leadership positions

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - On Wednesday, August 31, the State of Alaska welcomed new leadership in its Department of Public Safety (DPS).

In a press conference, Governor Mike Dunleavy and DPS Commissioner James Cockrell announced that Bryan Barlow will be the new Deputy Commissioner of the department.

In addition, Maurice Hughes will now be Director of the Alaska State Troopers (AST), the first African-American to serve as Colonel for AST.

Barlow discussed his reaction to the new position, saying, “I’ll do my very best, my level best, as I always have and I know that I’ll be surrounded by just tons of support. This is a team effort at DPS. There is no one person that accomplishes anything around here and I am acutely aware of that.”

Hughes, meanwhile, said, “I want to thank commissioner Cockrell for his faith and confidence in me to move the department forward. Being the first African-American Alaska State Trooper Colonel, it’s an honor and I am humbled at the appointment.”

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