Anchorage, Alaska — Nov. 25, 2024— The Anchorage Police Department (APD) announced that Mid-shift Patrol officer Aaron Richwine has been charged with Operating Under the Influence (OUI) following an incident that occurred on Nov. 19, 2024. Like any other member of the public, Richwine was arrested, charged and released per the bail schedule and has entered the legal process regarding these charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 23, 2025. Since Richwine is employed by APD, processing of his arrest was conducted at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Police Department to protect his privacy as an employee from others in the department and reduce the disruption for on-duty personnel and operations.  

Richwine's OUI charge stemmed from a call to APD Dispatch regarding a vehicle in distress (VID). At 8:17 a.m. on Nov. 19, 2024, APD Dispatch received a report of a vehicle in a ditch near the 5400 block of Lake Otis Parkway. The caller indicated that they believed the driver was impaired and stated they saw the driver leave the area on foot. 

Responding officers determined that the vehicle in question was Richwine's personal vehicle and that he was off-duty at the time. He was eventually located at a nearby residence, where he was contacted by police. 

After an investigation and the administration of a Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST), he was taken into custody, processed and released. He will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcomes of APD's administrative investigation and any external legal proceedings. 

In 2024, APD committed to making the arrests of its officers known to the public following the arrest of former officer Ethan Copland at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER). It is important to recognize that APD officers hold dual roles as Municipal employees and public servants. The duality necessitates a careful approach to communication regarding incidents involving them. While APD is dedicated to transparently disclosing relevant information to maintain accountability, the department must also adhere to the legal privacy rights of employees. 

APD CASE NUMBER 24-35968

ABOUT APD

APD serves a population of over 285,000 in a service area that extends from the Knik River bridge to the north and Ingram Creek to the south. APD currently employs approximately 550 people, comprising both sworn and non-sworn positions. Our department takes pride in working closely with the community we serve.

###