Max Becker named ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ police chief
May 22, 2025
The University of ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Fairbanks is pleased to welcome our new Chief of Police, Max Becker. A familiar face to many on campus, Becker has deep roots in the Fairbanks community, having called it home since 1997.
A graduate of Lathrop High School, his journey with ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ began in the spring of 2009 when he enrolled in the Justice program and simultaneously started serving as a Community Service Officer with the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Police Department. This early experience provided a strong foundation and a firsthand understanding of the unique needs of our university community.
Continuing his commitment to law enforcement in ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ, Becker graduated from the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Community and Technical College Law Enforcement Academy in 2011 and proudly joined the ranks of ÃÛÌÒÓ°ÏñPD as a patrol officer that same year. While working at the police department he also continued to work on his bachelor’s degree in justice and became a graduate of ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ in 2016.
He relocated to the Lower 48 with his family in 2017 and worked as both a police officer and deputy sheriff in Colorado. He couldn’t resist the pull to return to ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ, and in November of 2022 he made the winter adventure up the ALCAN to return to Fairbanks. He has been back with the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Police Department since 2023.
Outside of his work in law enforcement, Becker enjoys spending time with his wife, Nichole, and their children. He also enjoys taking advantage of the amazing outdoor activities that Fairbanks and ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ have to offer. During the winter months, you might even spot him cheering on our Nanook Hockey team at the Carlson Center.
Looking ahead, Chief Becker expresses his sincere excitement for the opportunity to lead the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Police Department. He is particularly eager to collaborate with all members of the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ community and to build upon the strong foundation and legacy of service that has been established here.