National Geographic Channel takes you behind the first lines of defense on the Last Frontier.
One of the toughest law enforcement agencies in the nation, they patrol the rugged terrain of America’s largest state, where anyone they encounter could be armed. “… When we go on patrol, when we contact people we know a few things. We know that they will have guns, they will have knives, and they’ll know how to use them.” ? Wildlife Trooper Sgt. Scott Quist
On October 14, 2009, Wednesday, “Alaska State Troopers” will air on the National Geographic Channel. This is a new series that will air at 10 p.m.
They are the first line of defense on the last frontier, the roughly 400 state troopers who patrol the rugged and unforgiving terrain of America’s largest state — Alaska. One of the toughest law enforcement agencies in the nation, these officers often travel hundreds of miles in piercing subzero temperatures to uphold the law. Responding by land, air and sea — with backup sometimes days away — they face danger to protect the people and wildlife of Alaska.
National Geographic Channel (NGC) gained rare access to this elite law enforcement agency for the new series Alaska State Troopers, airing on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT beginning October 14, 2009. Filmed over 10 months, the series captures a mixture of raw nature and criminal activity throughout the Alaskan wilderness and its remote villages. NGC follows state troopers from two divisions within the storied organization: the “blue shirt” Alaska State Troopers, who police the towns and villages, as well as the “brown shirt” Alaska Wildlife Troopers, who enforce fish and game regulations for both commercial and sport activities.
In each episode, we’ll meet these brave men and women to share “a day-in-the-life” of an Alaska State Trooper. The vast distances, rugged terrain and brutal weather require officers to respond via snowmobiles, boats, planes and helicopters to handle any and every scenario. While out on the graveyard shift, a trooper comes to the aid of an injured “truck-tuber” (a person on an inner tube pulled by a truck along a snow-covered road). Drama unfolds when 13 troopers are tasked with keeping the peace among an estimated 10,000 people at Alaska’s version of “spring break.” Travel to isolated Native communities — where alcohol fuels more than 95 percent of all crime — to enforce a prohibition ban.
In a state where just about every resident is armed, any scenario a trooper confronts could be fatal. Wildlife Trooper Sgt. Scott Quist explains what it’s like approaching hunters: “One thing that’s a little bit different about our version of law enforcement is that when we go on patrol, when we contact people we know a few things. We know that they will have guns, they will have knives, and they’ll know how to use them.”
Whether performing search and rescue missions on a frozen river or arresting a snowmobiler for a DUI, the challenges an Alaska State Trooper faces are diverse, but one thing is for sure — these are not your average cops.
Here is a sample of some of the video shot for this upcoming series.
“Alaskan Moosicide”
