Gregory Otten arrested by K9 Hank during an OUI investigation

At 6:11 PM on January 14, 2022, APD responded to the 400 block of E 11th Avenue.  It had been reported that an adult male was outside in a vehicle; it was believed the male may be impaired by drugs. Upon arrival officers located the black Toyota which was being driven away from the residence it had been reported to be at.  Officers blocked in the vehicle and contacted the driver, 33-year-old Gregory B. Otten.  While speaking with Otten at the Toyota’s driver’s side through a closed window, Otten was instructed to turn off the vehicle and exit.

Otten did not comply and was behaving erratically.  As a result of that behavior, officers did not believe it was safe for Otten to drive.  Otten refused to open his window or unlock his vehicle’s doors.  Due to Otten actively barricading himself inside, additional officers responded to the scene. Some of those units used their patrol vehicles to tighten up the block around the Toyota.  One of the responding officers was CIT-trained (Crisis Intervention Team), and he began a dialogue with Otten.  During the entire negotiation process, which lasted more than an hour, several less-lethal warnings were given to Otten.

When verbal negotiation tactics with Otten failed, and after multiple more warnings were given, Pepperballs were deployed into the Toyota through windows the officers had broken out.  Instead of becoming compliant, Otten attempted to ram his way out of the vehicle block which was unsuccessful. More chemical agents were deployed into the vehicle; Otten continued his refusal to exit. K9 Hank was deployed inside the vehicle.  K9 Hank contacted Otten’s arm and shoulder.  A Taser was deployed when Otten tried to fight K9 Hank.  While the Taser did not appear to have any effect on Otten, officers were able to go hands-on with Otten.  Otten continued to physically resist and attempt to brace himself so that he could not be removed from the vehicle.  Officers were able to pull Otten out and place him into handcuffs.

Otten was transported to the hospital for treatment of both the dog bite and the Pepperball exposure.  Subsequent to a search warrant being obtained, Otten’s blood was drawn.

A computer check revealed that Otten was on probation.  APD contacted Adult Probations who requested that officers conduct a probation check on Otten’s vehicle.  During that search, officers recovered baggies of a substance that field-tested positive for meth.  Pills were also seized as evidence.

After being released from the hospital, Otten was remanded at the Anchorage Jail on the charges of Fail to Stop, Resisting, Reckless Endangerment, Misconduct Involving a Controlled Substance V, and Driving under the Influence.  He was also charged for Felony Violate Conditions of Release per the direction of Adult Probations.

No officers were injured to include K9 Hank.

APD Case 22-1545

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