A new director has been appointed to head the Alaska State Troopers, according to a news release issued Thursday by the Alaska Department of Public Safety.
Colonel Bryan W. Barlow replaced Colonel Barry Wilson, who recently retired after 30 years with the department.
A lifelong Alaskan, Barlow became a trooper in March 1999 and has worked in Fairbanks, Interior villages, Girdwood, Ninilchick and Ketchikan. Barlow has previously supervised the troopers’ Criminal Intelligence Unit, Department of Public Safety recruitment, the Office of Professional Standards and the aircraft section.
Barlow has also been a member of the Special Emergency Reaction Team member, a firearms instructor, crisis negotiator, and ethics instructor. Barlow was promoted to Major in October 2017 and was promoted to Colonel upon taking his new position Thursday.
Outgoing director Wilson’s career with the troopers spanned 30 years and included patrol, investigations, search and rescue operations and mentoring other members of the department.
Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner Amanda Price thanked Wilson for his service.
“It was an honor to have Colonel Wilson on my team. I also want to thank Colonel Barlow for accepting to take the help of the Alaska State Troopers and all the responsibilities that come with the job,” Price stated in the news release.
Contact staff writer Dorothy Chomicz at 459-7582. Follow her on Twitter: @FDNMcrime.
