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Joe Masters Resigns as Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Public Safety

State of Alaska

Another senior official in the administration of Alaska Governor Sean Parnell is stepping down. Last week it was DNR Commissioner Dan Sullivan now it’s Department of Public Safety Commissioner Joe Masters. Masters career in law enforcement got started in the early 80’s as a public safety officer in Unalakleet. Eventually, Masters rose through the ranks until he was named deputy director of the Alaska State Troopers. He retired from that job in 2005 but was tapped to head the Department of Public Safety in 2008. In a prepared statement Governor Parnell noted that Masters has made a difference in countless lives across Alaska. Parnell labeled Masters as a valuable asset to his administration.

In his resignation letter Joe Masters laid claim to several successes including rejuvenating the VPSO program in Alaska and creating a stronger and more effective dialog between tribal entities and the Department of Public Safety. Master’s resignation takes effect in mid-October. Joe Masters intends to stay in Alaska and has taken a job in the private sector.