Thirteen Alaska State Troopers attempt to police a crowd of 10,000 people attending the Arctic Man Ski and Sno-Go Classic. Drink driving incidents and a snow mobile crash keep them busy for a full 96 hours. Elsewhere, wildlife troopers keep an eye on illegal hunting and watch out for bears and moose.
The troopers in America’s coldest state have huge areas to patrol and face as many challenges from the environment as they do from the residents. When temperatures can go as low as -40 degrees centigrade, the simplest trips become dangerous. Helicopters are called when two hunters are stranded after a boating accident. Without their guns, the hunters become sitting targets for the areas brown bear population.
In the state governed by Sarah Palin, guns are everywhere and the troopers must be extra careful. A hunter with a 50 calibre handgun explains that he is watching out for brown bears, whilst a man with a bag full of “chronic” and a glock in his jeans is a timely reminder to treat every road stop with caution.
“Alaska State Troopers – Ice Patrol” will be shown on the National Geographic Channel at 9pm on Thursday 27th May 2010.
