Press Release: APD announces release of retrospective officer-involved shooting (OIS) study and Use of Force public dashboard
Anchorage, Alaska – Nov. 15, 2024 – The Anchorage Police Department (APD) released the 15-year retrospective Officer-involved Shooting (OIS) Review (2009-2023) and Use of Force Dashboard today. The study analyzed circumstances, officers and subjects involved in 45 incidents where APD officers discharged a weapon under the color of authority while on-duty or off-duty from Jan. 1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2023. The Use of Force Dashboard provides the public with access to current data on incidents involving force utilization by APD officers and is updated quarterly.
"By utilizing data, we aim to enhance our understanding not only of the statistics related to use of force incidents but also the broader context in which they occur," said APD Chief Sean Case. "Our officers face dangerous, high-risk situations daily and, at times, must resort to using force to protect the public, their fellow officers or themselves. By studying and monitoring these incidents, we can better inform future training, policies and community engagement initiatives, ensuring that our practices exceed the highest policing standards."
ABOUT THE OIS STUDY
The 15-year retrospective OIS Review marks a significant milestone in APDs ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability. Key findings include insights into department, officer, subject and incident characteristics, call for service type, and weapons utilized by subjects and officers during encounters.
USE OF FORCE DASHBOARD
APD's new Use of Force Dashboard also enhances the department's communications with the public regarding force utilization incidents. The online tool provides the public with data (updated quarterly) on incidents where officers used force during police contact. The dashboard compares force utilization against other statistics to help provide context. It also provides a view into reasons for force, the most common recent use of force techniques and complaint data. Community members can use the interactive platform to explore various metrics.
"By making information readily accessible, we aim to foster a more informed dialogue about policing practices within Anchorage and increase trust between our officers and the community we love and serve," said Case. "APD operates under a community-oriented policing philosophy, and these new community-focused tools are a crucial step forward as we optimize policing practices based on empirical data and in-field experiences while improving communication."
ABOUT APD
APD serves a population of over 285,000 in a service area that extends from the Knik River bridge on the north end to Ingram Creek on the south side. 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.
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