Anchorage Police Department releases 15-year look-back at officer-involved shootings

The Anchorage Police Department has launched a 15-year retrospective Officer-involved Shooting (OIS) Review (2009-2023) and Use of Force Dashboard. The online study analyzed circumstances, officers, and subjects involved in 45 incidents where 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 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.”

The 15-year retrospective OIS Review marks a milestone in the department’s commitment to transparency and accountability, the department said. Key findings include insights into department, officer, subject and incident characteristics, call for service type, and weapons used by subjects and officers during encounters.

APD’s new Use of Force Dashboard 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.”