State Department of Public Safety commissioner Walt Monegan was abruptly relieved of his position Friday. Monegan, a 30-year veteran of the Anchorage Police Department (APD) and chief of the APD under two mayors was appointed by Palin to the post of Public Safety Commissioner in 2006. Monegan says there was no prior notice that he would be removed and although he was offered the position of Director of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, Monegan declined the job. Governor Palin has appointed Kenai police chief Charles Kopp as the new public safety commissioner. Palin’s spokeswoman Sharon Leighow says the Governor wanted a new direction for the Department of Public Safety.
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
