Anchorage, Alaska — Yesterday, the Alaska Department of Law's Office of Special Prosecution (OSP) released its findings regarding the Aug. 13, 2024, Officer-Involved Shooting, and the Anchorage Police Department released the body worn camera footage pursuant to policy.
These are challenging days for our community.
The way to work through our challenges is to do it together.
Since August 13, I have been listening—to the family of Easter Leafa, to residents of different backgrounds and cultures, and to the APD officers who work to protect our city. What I have heard, universally, is that we all want Anchorage to be a place where everyone feels safe.
This is our shared goal, and everyone in my administration is committed to working every day to make it a reality.
Since July 1, Chief Case and APD have made a series of changes within the department, including: analyzing internal data, investing in de-escalation training at the Academy, expanding the calls that the Mobile Intervention Team responds to, and by improving communication with the community.
APD will have a third party overseeing the Internal Affairs investigation of the August 13 incident. I have also called for a broader third-party review of APD use of force training, tactics, and supervision, which will result in a public report and recommendations.
APD officers have difficult jobs that put them in challenging and potentially dangerous situations. It is my responsibility to support them by ensuring they have the resources necessary to review these recent interactions and implement any necessary changes as a result.
We have work to do. But our community is strong. To live here, you have to be strong. And we know we are stronger when we work together. You have my commitment that we will continue to listen, we will continue to learn, and we will do all we can to research and resource the changes we need working alongside APD to continue to prioritize public safety.
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Media Contact: Amanda K. Moser
907-615-7852
Amanda.K.Moser@anchorageak.gov