Monegan's Fears for Job

Page 22

Mr. Monegan testified about his thoughts on the drive back to his
office following his meeting with Mr. Palin:
MR. MONEGAN: Well, on the drive back, as I was reflecting on the meeting -- drive back to the office, I was thinking that in essence, they certainly didn't like the idea that Wooten was still employed. And they wanted severe discipline, probably termination, and that -- and if this was going to build, I had this kind of ominous feeling that I may not be long for this job if I -- if I didn't somehow respond accordingly.
MR. BRANCHFLOWER: So your career you thought might be in jeopardy unless you took some decisive action that might result in Trooper Wooten's dismissal from the force; is that your testimony? MR. MONEGAN: Yes. And -- but the flip side of it, I also got to augment with that that having been a police officer, I certainly believe in rules and regulations and laws and whatnot. And there is a certain part that you will not step over. So I was -- I felt that if there is a term where you start to feel pressure, you are between laws and selfpreservation, so to speak."

Monegan's First Meeting with "The First Gentleman"

Page 18

MR. BRANCHFLOWER: What were they pictures of?
MR. MONEGAN: What I recall, one looked like a moose and -- that had been shot. There may have been others, but I just glanced through them while I'm, again, trying to pay attention to Todd talking to me about Trooper Wooten.
MR. BRANCHFLOWER: Well, what -- what did he tell you about Trooper Wooten? MR. MONEGAN: Well, he told me that this particular trooper had -- had gone through a divorce with Molly, which is one of the sisters of the governor, and that it was -- this particular individual wasn't and shouldn't have been a trooper, that he didn't model himself well as a trooper, that they had filed complaints. They had worked with Colonel Grimes, and actually went to her office and talked to them about Trooper Wooten. And the allegations included the taking of a moose illegally, tasering an 11-year-old stepson of Wooten's, drinking while driving in the patrol car, having a beer while he was driving his patrol car. And there may have been a couple of others, but the details on that, I don't recall.
MR. BRANCHFLOWER: And did he say that he and the governor
had met with the folks who handled that matter in the prior
administration?
MR. MONEGAN: I believe he kept using the term "we." We went to
go talk to, we, we. And so I assumed it was he and Sarah, of course.

Palin Praises Monegan

Pages 13 and 14

In her November 28, 2006 press release, Governor-elect Palin praised Monegan and said:
Walt Monegan is a familiar name to many in South central and rural Alaska. Monegan recently retired after 32 years in law enforcement with the Anchorage Police Department - the last five as the Chief of Police. Monegan oversaw a staff of 574 employees and an $80 million budget. Starting as a patrol officer and rising steadily through the ranks, Monegan has experience in every facet of public safety, including internal affairs, crime prevention, communications, emergency operations, training, antigang efforts, school/youth liaison and Crime stoppers. Monegan is credited
Monegan transcript page 8, line 23.
Monegan transcript, page 10, line 22.


Branchflower Report to the Legislative Council
Page 14 of 263
October 10,2008
Vol. One - Public Report
with enhancing police effectiveness by installing mobile computers in police vehicles; implementing advanced 91 1 service to Alaska's largest municipal population; writing plans to address gang and youth violence; supporting the establishment of professional standards for village public safety officers; establishing a Citizens Police Academy and resurrecting police traffic units to address drunken driving. Monegan has a bachelor's degree in Organizational Administration from Alaska Pacific University and an Associate's degree from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. His advanced professional education includes senior government executive training at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, the FBI's National Executive Institute and the National Crime Prevention Institute. He and his wife, Terry, have four adult children and one grandchild. Monegan lives in Anchorage. "Chief Monegan will bring to the Department of Public Safety the perspective of a career professional peace officer and administrator with a proven record of using resources effectively to address the changing public safety needs of Alaskans," said Palin. "As an Alaska Native from the Lower Kuskokwim village of Nyac, he understands the special public safety on a statewide basis. We are fortunate to have such an experienced and well-rounded police professional heading the Department of Public Safety.