Alumni Spotlight: Kenneth McCoy

B.A. Criminal Justice '96
Hometown: Army brat
Fun Fact: As a kid Kenneth wanted to be one of three things: a professional football player, a soldier or a police officer.

Service defines Kenneth McCoy's life. With credits that include, working in the Army National Guard, serving 18 years with the Anchorage Police Department (APD), being a member on Standing Together Against Rape's (STAR) Board of Directors, and speaking to students about life in law enforcement at his alma mater, Kenneth is doing his part to better his community.

His service and success spans more than 23 years. In 1990, Kenneth was a full-time UAA student living in the dorms; flash-forward to today, he's now the sergeant of the APD's Special Victims Unit.

"It's so rewarding to have reached my educational dreams and find a position that utilizes my degree. I feel so engaged every day in what I do. I actually look forward to going to work," Kenneth says.

Looking back, Kenneth's future wasn't so definite. With his father's army background, it seemed natural for Kenneth to follow his footsteps-and he did, at first. After graduating from Bartlett High School, Kenneth attended a military institute in New Mexico.

"As an army brat, I've always been interested in the role of the military and law enforcement in society," he says.

But his love of Alaska eventually brought Kenneth back north. "We lived all over the country. Once my dad was stationed in Alaska, I immediately knew it was a great place to live. It felt natural to come back. It was home to me."

UAA's Justice Center proved to be the missing component for the future sergeant. "The course work at UAA made me rethink law school, which is what I originally thought about pursuing," he says. With topics such as police procedures and dissecting crime in the field, Kenneth shifted his focus from the courtroom to the streets of Anchorage. "I wanted to be out there, preventing crime and making a difference."

Kenneth married his wife of 20 years, Sue, while still a student at UAA. The pair, who met in high school, reconnected after his return to Alaska. "We fell in love, got married and had our first child," he says.

Soon, things got a little more complicated for the newlyweds. Balancing life in the police academy, studying at UAA and being first-time parents, Kenneth remembers life as hectic. "It was a lot of stress and it slowed my education down a bit," Kenneth laughs. "But it was worth it."

As a rookie officer, Kenneth spent the next several years at the patrol level, responding to calls and policing the people of Anchorage. In 2000, he tested and applied to become a detective in the Special Victims Unit, which investigates sexual assault crimes. "I'd always envisioned being a detective. After getting the job, I realized investigating cases and solving crimes was definitely something I was meant to do."

Kenneth would later become sergeant and soon lead the robbery unit, only to return to the sexual assault unit several years later.

In command of his unit, Kenneth supervises and provides assistance to eight detectives and mobilizes the sexual assault response team when necessary. "I often help them with investigations, especially those that earn lots of media attention. I also provide legal advice and strategies that will help solve the case."

His management role brings means guiding his unit 24/7. Kenneth carries two phones to ensure he's always available to his detectives. "It has it's trade-offs. I get calls all day and all night, so I'm never able to turn it off. I'm always tied to work somehow," he says.

Kenneth adds, "My job is much more than catching the bad guys on the street." With UAA's Justice Center at their disposal, he and the APD often work with UAA to research crime statistics in Anchorage. "There have been studies, specifically on sexual assault crimes in Anchorage, where we've worked with UAA. It's an additional perk to have UAA right here," he says.

Kenneth says his job can be emotionally demanding. "It's a struggle on multiple fronts. I love helping people, but it's a very emotional crime. It's imperative to collaborate with UAA to try and better understand and get a handle on crimes in Anchorage. It's a top priority."

This APD veteran has often been invited to speak to justice students, and even served as an evaluator for UAA's Student Showcase. "I feel very connected to UAA. It's rewarding to help students who are where I was 20 years ago. I'm honored to be able to provide insight for them."

Beyond the badge, Kenneth spends time with his family. He says he's often on the sidelines rooting for his kids at sporting events. "It may not sound too interesting, but my work provides enough excitement. I try to enjoy the simpler things in life."