7/1/2024 at 3:30PM UPDATE: The original version of this press release misspelled the "Handy" surname. The name has been corrected in the version below.
At the July 16 Regular Assembly Meeting, the Anchorage Assembly will consider two items of legislation concerning the release of Anchorage Police Department (APD) body-worn camera footage, sponsored by Assembly Members Felix Rivera, Daniel Volland and Meg Zaletel.
“We broach this conversation at a time of mourning," said Assembly Member Rivera. “We mourn the lives lost and feel for everyone involved in the recent officer-involved shootings. In the wake of loss and amid the pain, we call upon our fellow members, our partners in the Administration, and APD to change our approach and rebuild public trust."
About the Legislation
The first item is a resolution for action, item 10.B.3 on the July 16 agenda. AR 2024-210 takes three positions:
- Requests APD offer the Handy family the opportunity to review footage of the Kris Handy police shooting at no cost in advance of its public release;
- Calls for the release of BWC recordings of all recent officer-involved shootings and critical incidents, no later than 30 days after the resolution is approved; and,
- Urges the Administration and APD to reconsider the current body-worn camera policy and look to alternative models, such as those published by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
The second item is an ordinance to be introduced as item 10.G.2 on the July 16 agenda. AO 2024-69 proposes a definition of “body-worn cameras" in Anchorage Municipal Code under Title 3 – Administration and a requirement for a body-worn camera policy with standards for storage, preservation, review, release, and disposition of multimedia evidence. The ordinance would give the existing policy governing body-worn cameras the force of law and establish that the failure to adhere the policy may be considered grounds for discipline. A public hearing would be scheduled on July 30.
“With gratitude and appreciation for officers sworn to protect and serve our community," said Assembly Member Volland, “all areas of government, :00including local policing, operate best when they are accountable and transparent with the public."
A Look Back
In 2020, voters approved a special levy to fund the purchase and implementation of body-worn cameras for sworn APD officers. After several months of negotiation between APD and the Anchorage Police Department Employees Association (APDEA), APD published their policy regarding body-worn cameras in May 2023. Alongside the policy, APD announced plans to deploy the cameras and fully equip sworn officers by March 2024.
In October 2023, the Assembly approved AR 2023-353, a resolution requesting revisions to the BWC policy to include “a timeline for automatic release. . . of body-worn camera footage with officer-involved shootings and other critical incidents."
“It's been four years since voters approved a special levy to equip local police with body-worn cameras," said Assembly Vice Chair Zaletel. “The recent officer-involved shootings revealed the Municipality—the Administration, APD, and the Assembly together—have a lot of work ahead to deliver the transparency the public expects and deserves. So let's get to work."
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Contact:
Felix Rivera | District 4, felix.rivera@anchorageak.gov
Daniel Volland | District 1, daniel.volland@anchorageak.gov
Meg Zaletel | District 4, meg.zaletel@anchorageak.gov