The Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) program by the State of in 1979 to bring essential first-response services to Alaska’s most remote communities—places where law enforcement and emergency services are often hours away. VPSO programs are locally managed by the regional organizations which participate. Each program recruits, hires and manages their VPSO and the priorities of the program. The state’s role is to support each program to the best of its ability.

VPSO serve as a bridge between the indigenous communities and the larger department, helping each to better understand and know the other, minimizing tensions from police services, improving relationships, and developing needed trust and respect. 

Tlingit & Haida’s Role
The VPSO program is managed by regional organizations such as Tlingit & Haida, Alaska Native nonprofits and boroughs. Tlingit & Haida administers the VPSO program for Southeast Alaska and is currently the only Tribe in the state operating the program. The program serves several Southeast communities, including Angoon, Coffman Cove, Hydaburg, Kake, Kasaan, Pelican, Saxman and Thorne Bay.

Most recently, Tlingit & Haida welcomed a new VPSO hire in Thorne Bay, strengthening local response and reinforcing our commitment to safer, more resilient communities.

Why It Matters
Alaska’s geography and isolation make emergency response difficult. Many villages lack local law enforcement or fire services, leaving residents vulnerable in crises. The VPSO program was designed to close that gap, reduce response times, and provide communities with trusted, locally based safety officers.

What VPSOs Do
In addition to VPSOs, Alaska Governor Dunleavy added Regional Public Safety Officers (RPSOs) to enhance the program’s effectiveness. RPSOs provide specialized regional support and serve as a resource that multiple communities can rely on in times of need, helping ensure timely, coordinated responses across Southeast Alaska. VPSOs are residents recruited and trained to protect their own communities. They provide:

• Emergency response to fires, medical incidents, and crises
• Basic law enforcement and visible community presence
• Search and rescue operations in remote areas
• Community policing that builds trust and strengthens safety

Impact
By combining local knowledge with professional training, VPSOs make Alaska’s villages safer, more resilient, and better prepared for emergencies. Their presence ensures that no community is left without a first line of protection.

Meet Tlingit & Haida VPSOs