Civilian Oversight of the Anchorage Police Department
This spring, patrol officers of the Anchorage Police Department (APD) were equipped with body-worn cameras. This summer, APD officers were involved in the shootings that resulted in four fatalities. In three of those incidents, the events were captured on body cameras. While the footage was unsettling, it provided the public with insight into the police’s use of deadly force in these situations. The Alaska Department of Law ultimately deemed all the shootings “justified.”
The Alaska Black Caucus Justice Committee is collaborating with the Alaska Coalition for Justice to establish civilian oversight of the Anchorage police. Members of the ACJ are seeking community input and engaging with Municipal Assembly members to discuss suitable forms of civilian oversight for Anchorage.
Additionally, the Alaska Black Caucus will host the Inspector General of the Columbus, Ohio, Civilian Police Review Board at the Bettye Davis Summit in February. This event aims to educate our community about the processes involved in creating and maintaining effective civilian oversight.
Furthermore, the Alaska Black Caucus will advocate for legislative changes to Alaska’s laws regarding the use of deadly force by law enforcement. We believe Alaska’s laws should align with those in Washington state and the official policies of federal law enforcement, which mandate that officers receive training in de-escalation tactics and techniques aimed at obtaining voluntary compliance before resorting to force, and encourage the use of less lethal alternatives whenever feasible.
November 2024
