KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | Kopp out as public safety boss

Kopp out as public safety boss

by Mike Ross
Friday, July 25, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Alaska Department of Public Safety faced another shakeup Friday.

Two weeks ago, Walt Monegan was fired by Gov. Sarah Palin.

Friday, the man who took his place, Chuck Kopp, turned in his resignation. The decision to resign came after hours of meetings between Kopp and Palin.

"Well, this has been a tumultuous week in the Department of Public Safety, and as your governor, I apologize," Palin said during a press conference.

Both the governor and Kopp said the continuing controversy over the sexual harassment allegation made against Kopp when he was Kenai Police Chief was too much of a distraction in his new role as head of public safety.

"This has caused me to be unable to bring my full focus to the mission of this department that the welfare of so many Alaskans depend on," Kopps said.

Kopp's resignation comes two weeks to the day that Palin fired Kopp's predecessor, Walt Monegan, under circumstances that many state lawmakers say still need to be investigated.

"I feel bad for Chuck Kopp and his family," said John Cyr, head of the Alaska Public Safety Employees Association. "I mean, I think he was put in an untenable situation by the governor, and it's something that absolutely did not need to happen. It's clear there really was no new direction."

"Is it any wonder that not too many people choose to enter the political and public arena?" Palin said. "This has been brutal on a good family, a good Alaskan family."

But the governor herself said just yesterday that she was concerned that Kopp had not told her before he was appointed that a letter of reprimand stemming from the sexual harassment complaint had been issued against him.

That's a revelation the governor said she didn't learn about until Kopp's own press conference earlier in the week.

"I leave this post with animosity to no one and a thankful heart that I was allowed this opportunity of service by the governor of Alaska," Kopp said.

There was no word from the governor about who will be come her third Public Safety Commissioner in less than a month.

"I want to thank you and again tell you I respect you and I respect your decision to leave," Palin told Kopp. "Thank you, sir."

No questions were taken during the news conference, although many are asking, "What's next?" for the Department of Public Safety.

Kopp did not say what he'll be doing next.

The Legislative Council is scheduled to meet Monday afternoon and is expected to discuss starting an investigation into the firing of Monegan.

Full video of the press conference is available at the top of this story.

Contact Mike Ross at mross@ktuu.com