After firing the first Alaska Native to hold the job, Gov. Sarah Palin (R) has named another Native as the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.
Joseph Masters, a shareholder in the Bering Straits Native Corp., has a long career in law enforcement. He currently serves as a security director for Doyon Universal Services, which is owned by Doyon Ltd..
Masters sits on the board of directors of the Alaska Native Justice Center. So does Walt Monegan, whom Palin abruptly fired in July.
Palin is under investigation for Monegan's firing, which came after he refused to fire a state trooper who was married to Palin's younger sister. Monegan said he was repeatedly pressured by Palin's aides and her husband, Todd, who is also Native, to take action on the matter. Todd Palin has been subpoenaed for the investigation.
Palin is Sen. John McCain's vice presidential running mate.
Get the Story:Palin names Doyon security exec to lead Public Safety (The Anchorage Daily News 9/13)
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