The Alaska State Senate passed Senate Bill 7, which requires the Department of Public Safety to publish peace officer and Village Public Safety Officer conduct policies and procedures on their website. SB 7 had stakeholder input from public safety agencies throughout the state, including the Anchorage Police Department, Anchorage Police Employees Association, Public Safety Employees Association, and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.
SB 7 was sponsored by Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson of Anchorage, who told the Senate floor:
“Although the Department is currently publishing the information on the website, new leadership could determine that this information would no longer be provided. Having a requirement in state statute provides perpetuity and is simply good public policy. SB 7 also restricts publication of confidential techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecution and any guidelines that could risk circumvention of the law.”
Sen. Gray-Jackson said this is the first bill of her public safety packet to make it to the Senate floor for a vote:
“My TPIP packet, Turning Pain Into Progress, was drafted to provide public safety changes that would benefit the citizens of Alaska and also our law enforcement officers. I look forward to movement on the remaining five bills at the end of this session and I thank all of you for your support of Senate Bill 7.”
Sen. Gray-Jackson’s reform package is derived from the National 8 Can’t Wait campaign. Senate Bill 7 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Transcribed audio courtesy of KTOO 360TV.