The Anchorage Police Department has expanded its drone program, with 11 officers now certified drone pilots, equipped with drones capable of both indoor and outdoor use. The department’s investment in unmanned aerial systems is part of a growing national trend of drone technology being used by law enforcement both for situational awareness and officer safety.
On July 18, an APD-operated drone was instrumental in managing a dangerous situation involving an armed suspect who fled into a wooded area near Mulcahy Stadium. The drone provided a live overhead view of the suspect’s movements, assisting patrol officers, SWAT, and K-9 units in coordinating their approach, Police Chief Sean Case said. The suspect, 49-year-old Liperial Alford, was taken into custody after a police operation involving drones, SWAT, and a K9 unit. The man had an active warrant out of Kotzebue, and is charged with multiple offenses, including Assault 2, Assault 3, Assault 4, Resisting/Interfering with Arrest, Tampering with Evidence, and Misconduct Involving Weapons. With assistance from the drone overhead, he was apprehended with a K9 bite to the leg and taken to a hospital before being booked into custody.
“This incident is a good example of how technology is helping to transform public safety. We were able to resolve the incident safely, and that’s always the goal,” said Case.
In recent months, APD has released footage highlighting the role drones have played in a variety of high-risk scenarios, from using thermal imaging to locate suspects at night to providing aerial visuals during barricade situations and hostage standoffs. Drones have also been used to monitor suspect activity during felony arrests in wooded areas, where visibility is otherwise limited.
The expansion aligns with a national movement. Law enforcement agencies have ramped up drone usage in recent years, citing benefits such as faster deployment times, improved de-escalation strategies, and reduced risk to officers and civilians.
Privacy advocates have raised concerns about the potential for misuse. Anchorage police say all drone deployments are governed by departmental policy, state and federal law, and require a search warrant when appropriate; the manhunt for the shooter at the wooded area near Mulcahy Stadium did not require a search warrant, for example.