“I started this Monday. This is my first drunk call. I just want to help people, and make their lives better. I grew up here and in Bethel [Alaska].”—Phillip Charlie is the Village Police Officer in Quinhagak, Alaska. In many villages throughout rural Alaska, the first responders to public safety emergencies are Village Police Officers and Village Public Safety Officers whose work is supervised by Alaska State Troopers located in the larger regional hub towns like Bethel. Village Police Officers, unlike police officers in cities throughout the country, do not carry firearms. In 2014, there was a change in Alaska State law that will allow Village Public Safety Officers to receive training to carry firearms.
Add to Lightbox Download![“I started this Monday. This is my first drunk call. I just want to help people, and make their lives better. I grew up here and in Bethel [Alaska].”—Phillip Charlie is the Village Police Officer in Quinhagak, Alaska. In many villages throughout rural Alaska, the first responders to public safety emergencies are Village Police Officers and Village Public Safety Officers whose work is supervised by Alaska State Troopers located in the larger regional hub towns like Bethel. Village Police Officers, unlike police officers in cities throughout the country, do not carry firearms. In 2014, there was a change in Alaska State law that will allow Village Public Safety Officers to receive training to carry firearms.](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I0000Rhm_hBvmAWw/fit=1000x750/Phillip-Charlie.jpg)