ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – A sweeping independent review of the Anchorage Police Department’s use of force policies and practices released Wednesday has revealed stark racial disparities and systemic issues, with both the city’s top lawyer and the police chief to defending the department’s progress while pushing back against select recommendations.
The report, compiled by national consulting firm 21CP Solutions, was commissioned in August 2024 by Mayor Suzanne LaFrance — who had just taken office — following a rapid series of 11 officer-involved shootings over a 17-month span that sparked intense community outrage.
Municipal Attorney Eva Gardner explained that the review was designed to identify root causes and provide a blueprint for policy reform…