2/7/21 Meet the Chief of Police Finalists!
We asked the finalists to introduce themselves to the community in their own words and give us the following information:
*A brief description of their work history.
*Any personal details they would like to share.
*Why they want to be Chief for the Fairbanks Police Department.
See below to read what they had to say!
Please also join us for a Community Forum on Tuesday, February 9th, 2021, hosted by the Fairbanks Diversity Council (FDC) where candidates will answer questions provided by the FDC. The audio will be livestreamed at https://www.fairbanksalaska.us/citycouncil/page/listen-live and will be aired live on KFBX AM 970 radio. You can find information on joining the webinar by CLICKING HERE. While the participants will all join over Zoom, City Council Chambers will also be open (don’t forget your mask!) for those attending in person.
Acting Chief, Richard Sweet; Fairbanks Police Department
"I began working for FPD in August 2012 and have lived in the State of Alaska for over 18 years, 15 of which have been in the Fairbanks Community. For the past five months I have been serving as the Acting Chief of Police. I have served as the Acting Deputy Chief, Lieutenant, Sergeant, Field Training Officer Coordinator, and Field Training Officer since my arrival at FPD. Prior to this, I retired from the U.S. Army after serving in the military Honorably for 26 years. I possess a Master’s degree from Central Michigan University and an Bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University.
I have been married for over 20 years and have four children. My family and I choose to stay in Fairbanks at the end of our military career after experiencing the local lifestyle, and family relationships we developed. The family has been involved with local community through volunteering and being a part of local dance and sport activities such as: the North Star Ballet Company, Eclipse Soccer Club, and Youth Baseball.
I am encouraged as the police department is poised to move into a new era of leadership, which demands a trained critical thinker. I see the role of Chief as one which includes setting high levels of expectation and has the responsibility to affect change and modernization. Direct interact with the people of the Fairbanks community offers unique opportunities to learn and grow both personally and professionally. Since serving as the Acting Chief for more than five months, I already perform all the essential duties and functions related to this position. There is a high degree of satisfaction derived from being a part of an organization larger than myself, and I am hopeful for the ability to continue forward with the wide array of reform and changes that we at the department have already begun to make. Increases in level of training, knowledge, and understanding of the community’s issues and needs is key to keeping this department relevant and responsive. Simply, the challenge that faces all of us today is our ever changing environment which is felt and affect how our officers perform and serve the community. I have been apart of the development of the Fairbanks Police Department and its personnel for more nearly nine years. As such, I feel a long-term vested interest in its success and wish to be a continued part of the process."
Sheriff’s Deputy, Todd Richardson; Beaver County Utah
"After playing college football for Utah State University (USU), I tested for and was hired to be a police officer for USU police department. Having a wife and one child at the time, I turned down an opportunity to play in the NFL to work for USUPD. I enjoyed this time starting in law enforcement and finished my bachelor’s degree while working for USUPD
January 1996, I took my family back to Utah and began my career with the Davis County Sheriff’s Office where I worked as a deputy sheriff/paramedic. To pay the bills, I retained my position at “Mercy” on a part-time status and took time monthly and traveled to Las Vegas working the streets as a paramedic for Mercy Medical Service.
My career at Davis County Sheriff’s Office started out as a deputy/paramedic. I served as an FTO and Officer-In-Charge, Sergeant, Watch Commander, SWAT Team member and in 2010 I was elected to be the Sheriff of Davis County.
January of 2011 I was sworn into office. As the Davis County Sheriff, I was the commander of the SWAT/PTRU team, northern Utah bomb squad, K-9, ICAC, JCAT, and many other teams. The Davis County Sheriff’s Office has a 1047 bed jail facility and is responsible to provide law enforcement services to the residents of the county. Three cities contracted with the Sheriff’s Office to provide full-service law enforcement to their cities. Davis County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for providing primary paramedic service to over 180,000 citizens. It also provides bailiff services, court security, crime lab services, county communications center and all search and rescue for the County. The County has roughly 350,000 residents and Hill Airforce Base. I served two terms for a total of eight years, as the Sheriff.
I have been married for 34 years. I have 5 children and seven grandchildren. My family has been supportive of my career choice and has played an active role in my elections, as well as other law enforcement sponsored community programs we have launched throughout my career. I could never have served faithfully for over 31 years without their complete support, and I am incredibly grateful for them and their support.
My hobbies and like are molded by my family. I enjoy doing things with my family. Snowmachining, boating, camping, shooting (we love shooting), and playing games together are all things we enjoy.
When I was a young boy, an astronaut I knew explained to me that I had a duty to respect our veterans, United States, the United States flag, and all that it stood for. I remember the blunt conversation was serious enough to reach my young mind. The message continued that every American has an obligation to either stand up, be heard and make change when things need adjusting or sit down, be quiet and don’t complain when things are the way they are.
Over the years, I am sure my recollection of the conversation is not word for word, the essence of the conversation, however, has stuck with me. My father re-enforced this message with me many times over. This lesson has stuck with and grew inside me as I began searching for a career and duty to act upon my convictions. I had a deep desire to serve others and protect citizens and their rights. This led me to public safety as a career in my early twenties. After several years of service, I chose to run for Sheriff. The office I worked in was at a place that I had to stand up to be heard and create change or sit down and be quiet. I was not willing to sit down and be quiet. As stated prior, we were able to make many changes that significantly improved the quality of service provided. Lives were saved and protected with the team concept adopted.
I want to lead the Fairbanks Police Department (FPD) as the chief because I have an instinctive sense of duty to serve and protect. I would like to serve in the community I was raised in. I strive to improve the quality of service and to educate the community in ways that can unify, build relationships, and create safety and security for us all. I am excited to return to Fairbanks, my hometown, and build upon the bonds of trust with the public. Build our department up with energy and enthusiasm. Strengthen our weaknesses and become a pillar of light and a standard for the whole State of Alaska.
I want to be your chief because I see the amazing potential of excellence FPD can achieve. I have the tools and experience to get to work and start building this legacy. I have done it before. I ask for the opportunity to now, stand up and serve the Alaskan people I love, and to work as team a to elevate FPD to new heights."
Acting Deputy Chief, Ron Dupee; Fairbanks Police Department
"I began my law enforcement career as a civilian with the Alaska State Trooper Wildlife Division (AWT). In 2000 I attended the Alaska Department of Public Safety Academy in Sitka Alaska before I moved to Dutch Harbor Alaska to work on a Trooper patrol vessel. I served on the Alaska State Troopers Tactical Dive Team. While serving with AWT I also served the Unalaska Dept of Public Safety as Reserve Officer. I was hired as a Corrections Officer with Unalaska DPS and a short time later as a Patrol Officer. While working for Unalaska DPS I created, and lead, a Dive Team for evidence recovery. I returned to Fairbanks in 2005 when I was hired as a Patrol Officer with the Fairbanks Police Department. I became a Field Training Officer and Instructor in the areas of Taser, Standard Field Sobriety Tests (DUI), Datamaster, and Drug Recognition Expert. In 2016 I was promoted to the rank of Patrol Sergeant. In 2018 I was promoted to Lieutenant. In the spring of 2020, I graduated from the FBI National Academy, a highly sought-after training program for Law Enforcement executives. Only the top 1% of Law Enforcement executives are accepted to attend. Since September of 2020 I have been the acting Deputy Chief of the Fairbanks Police Dept.
I was born and raised here in Fairbanks. I graduated from West Valley High School and attended College at UAF. I played hockey for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs for 2 years before starting my Law Enforcement career. In 2002 I married my wife, Dawniel Dupee, who currently works for UAF. Together we have 3 boys. I am active in the community helping coach hockey and sitting on various boards. Being a home grown Fairbanksan I have participated in many of the great adventures that Fairbanks and Alaska have to offer. My fondest memories from my childhood are of my dad and his heart for the people in this community. He was always serving others and helping anyone in need. Some of my closest friends to this day are from our adventures of hunting, and fishing. This is a legacy I want for my kids, help those who need it, be kind, respectful and the hardest working person in the room, but don’t forget to enjoy the great things this city and state have to offer. I continue to embrace all the seasons of Fairbanks and spend much of my time outdoors enjoying time with my family, hunting, fishing, and trapping.
Since I was 20 years old, I knew I wanted to serve my community, make it safer, and help others. I knew the right direction for me was to go into a law enforcement. I was so driven to accomplish this goal I put myself through the police academy. It has been a great privilege and honor to work for the last 16 years in the community I was born and raised in. It has been rewarding to have the opportunity to help the people in our community. Going through the ranks at FPD I believe I have the tools and experience to continue a legacy of excellence through policing and serving the Golden Heart community. I believe the men and women at the Fairbanks Police Department deserve a Chief that will treat them with respect and inspire them to do excellent work. The citizens of the City of Fairbanks deserve Officers who show excellence in every contact and a Police Department which is transparent and open. Our employees deserve to know they will be held accountable for their actions and decisions. I want to be the Chief of Police for the Fairbanks Police Department because I believe that I can create a culture of trust, promote community relationships, inspire Officers, create inclusion and transparency of the Fairbanks Police Department. I was born and raised in Fairbanks I have raised my family here, and ultimately, I want to retire here. I want Fairbanks to be a place we can all be proud to call home."
Police Chief, Derek Bos; Brush Colorado Police Department
I began my law enforcement career in 1999, attending the Pike Peak Regional Law Enforcement Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I served as the director of Campus Safety and Security for Reformed Bible College in Grand Rapids, MI from 2000 to 2001 when I accepted employment with the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office as a Patrol Deputy. I worked there until 2004, when I was hired as a Police Officer with the Bozeman Police Department in Bozeman Montana. I have served in various capacities in law enforcement since graduating from the police academy in 1999. I began as the Director of Campus Safety and Security at Reformed Bible College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 2001 I went to work at the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, in Colorado as a patrol deputy. While there I was assigned collateral responsibilities as a forensic photographer and as a clandestine drug lab investigator. After leaving there, I worked for the Bozeman Police Department briefly, but then received a three quarter ride scholarship to a college in Iowa. After completing my bachelor of arts degree, I returned to the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, starting as a patrol deputy and completing my time there as the Undersheriff. While there I served on the Crime Scene Response Team, multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Force, SWAT team, and created the county-wide School Safety Program. After leaving Chaffee County in 2016, I began my own business, consulting and conducting training, then returned to law enforcement in 2018 as the Chief of Police with the Brush Police Department where I’ve been since.
I have a spectacular family; my wife and I have been married for almost 16 years and enjoy homeschooling our three children. We are avid outdoor enthusiasts and enjoy hiking, hunting, fishing, rock climbing and camping to pick the highlights.
My family and I are very excited for the opportunity to serve with the City of Fairbanks. We have been interested in moving to Alaska for sometime and have been watching for various opportunities to that end. I feel that I am a very talented law enforcement leader and have a lot to offer a police department in the way of positive, proactive leadership. In reviewing the job description, city statistical data, and researching the police department, I feel that this is a good fit for both my skill set and what I look for in a police department, community, and city government."
Police Major, Koula Black; Mocksville, North Carolina Police Department
"I began working at a very young age. This was instilled in me by my father. My father came to the United States with an 8th grade education, spoke no English, and lived with his cousins. His first job was as a dishwasher in a restaurant. Ten years later his hard work and dedication to learn paid off: my father purchased that restaurant. I began working in my father’s restaurant as a coat check girl at age 9. In middle school and high school I worked as a server and a hostess, also assisting him with his book-keeping and volunteer efforts to feed the homeless in our community. After I graduated high school I attended the Eastman School of Music. During my 4 years at Eastman I worked in restaurants and taught private music lessons. After completing my degree I traveled, continued to train, and worked in the performing arts community. I performed with orchestras and ensembles, and I continued to teach private lessons. At age 27 I made the most important decision of my life. I wanted to do something more meaningful with career. That year I entered the Police Academy in Akron, Ohio. I was recruited during my time at the Police Academy by the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency, a multi-jurisdictional drug task force. Upon completion of the police academy I went directly to work for MDEA as an undercover operative. I was trained in narcotics investigations at the local, state, and federal level. I worked as an undercover operative at the street-level, but also in deep undercover operations that lasted up to a year. During my second year at MDEA I was promoted to Intelligence Specialist, which was a sworn position similar to the equivalence of a Sergeant, and still a sworn law enforcement position. In addition to investigating cases I became responsible for training new undercover operatives. In 2012 I relocated to Mint Hill, North Carolina and was hired as a patrol officer at the Mint Hill Police Department. I enjoyed by time greatly at Mint Hill PD, and still occasionally reach out to the former chief as a mentor. In 2014 I married my husband and relocated near the town of Mocksville, North Carolina. I was hired at the Mocksville Police Department as a patrol officer. I was promoted to narcotics detective 6 months later. I continued to work hard, train, and establish myself in the community. During my time as the narcotics detective I assisted in the creation of the S.A.F.E. program of Mocksville (Substance Abuse Family Education), which partners with local and state organizations to provide support for the addicted in our community. S.A.F.E. also works with a variety of community partners to prevent recidivism and to promote a better quality of life through resources and education. In 2016, I was promoted to captain over general and narcotics investigations. While working as a captain I established additional community-policing efforts: Coffee with a Cop, the Citizen’s Academy, and the Senior Citizens Academy. I also became a Smart Recovery Facilitator and taught weekly workshops for the S.A.F.E. program. In 2017 I was promoted to Major of Operations, which is my current position. I have continued my community-policing efforts in this role. I implemented T.A.P.S. (Teen and Police Service Academy), National Night Out, Mentorship Programs, and the Lotus Project, which was featured in IACP’s Chief of Police Magazine in July 2020. The Lotus Project is an interactive academy-style program pairing law enforcement with the IDD population. Currently, I am working to support a new community effort: the Mocksville Community Task Force. The Mocksville Community Task Force is comprised of local minority business owners, educators, civic, and church leaders and partners with the Mocksville Police Department. I assisted with the creation of the task force following the tragic death of George Floyd. In my positions of Captain and Major I also restructured our recruiting and training programs. I am fortunate because my hobbies and my career are intertwined. My goal as a person is to make the world a better place, so in most of my free time I volunteer in the community programs that I created. My husband is also a police officer and has become a tremendous advocate for my community programs. He even utilizes the S.A.F.E. program for the community where he works. My mother suffers from mental illness and addiction. She has assisted me in becoming a champion for those seeking resources for mental health and/or substance abuse disorders.
I enjoy reading and traveling. I believe it is important to always keep learning. One of the best ways to do that is to interact with people from other cultures. I try to travel once a year to a foreign country. I like to learn about the food, the philosophies, and I always try to visit the law enforcement agencies while I am there. I am an advocate for Pitbull rescue, and recently rescued a puppy named Moxie. I still have an appreciation for the arts and participate in local community theatre.
I am currently second in my command at my agency. I aspire to become a chief of police in a growing and progressive agency. I believe that every officer at an agency is important, but it is the chief who unites the community. I have continued to train endlessly in learning and understanding my leadership abilities and what my vision would be if I led an agency. A significant part of my vision is creating an agency of diversity and inclusion. I think an agency should reflect its community. I want to create healthy engagement between the police department and the citizens it serves. As a chief I would be tenacious and driven to prove to the citizens that law enforcement represents more than a badge and gun, while also encouraging officers to understand the needs and wants of the community. I have exceptional integrity, and the willingness to encourage collaboration and hope with those I serve. At this pivotal point in our history the face of law enforcement is changing. This is as true in Fairbanks as it is across the rest of our United States. The type of officers that are recruited and trained will be the future of this industry. If chosen as your chief, I would make it my goal to create a department that the officers and citizens could be proud of. I chose to apply for this position in Fairbanks because I believe that I am a lot like Fairbanks. I am made up of traditions yet open to change. I am diverse and complex and never waver from high standards. Fairbanks is a city of traditions and evolvement. The rough beauty of the terrain paired with the culture and eclectic atmosphere make Fairbanks a unique and extraordinary place. Your next chief will need these characteristics as well as an ability to connect with the people. I believe I possess these abilities and characteristics."
