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Get a Question Answered Q: I was wondering if you have a ride-along program for the general public? If there is such a program in Anchorage, what is the process for getting involved?A: Yes we do have a ride-along program. Contact Marlene Lammers in the Public Affairs office to schedule one. She can be reached at 786-8699. Or you can complete the ride-along request form which is available at the front counter of the APD. Please complete this form a minimum of three days prior to wanting to do the ride along. Q. I will be traveling to your state in August and would like to know if there are any special laws or permits that need to be purchased in advance for carrying a pistol. I will have my weapons permit from my home state. A. Currently, there are no special weapons permits needed to carry a firearm anywhere in the State of Alaska. However, there are many conditions that restrict a person from carrying a loaded firearm at certain times or locations.
Q. Are you still accepting applications for the Auxiliary Search Team? If so, where do I go to apply? A. Yes, the APD Search Team currently accepts applications year-round. There are some specific instructions that are given by accessing http://www.apdst.org. Thank you for your interest. Q. Why does Anchorage post in the "don't" section in carry conceal permits state carry conceal in City buildings? Other than a jail under 18.65.778 a city cannot prohibit the carrying of a concealed weapon under a permit and now that permits are no longer required when was the law changed? A. The current State Statue allows anyone who owns or leases property, to disallow firearms -- concealed or otherwise on their premises. In fact a provision of the law states that even permit holders (those who wish to possess a CCW permit for various reasons) risk being charged and losing their CCW permit if in violation of such law. This does require that the building owner (to include government offices) must post in a conspicious place, observable placards or notice that firearms are not permitted. Any homeowner, business owner or leaseholder, may possess a firearm on their own respective property. That does not give anyone else a right to possess a firearm on the property of another, if it is known or communicated "No Firearms Allowed" - or - "Weapons Prohibited". Please read AS 17.65.755 for clarification. You may wish to consult with an attorney for any legal opinion, as mine is an interpretation of the elements of the law. Q. I was wondering if an applicant is accepted for APD how long is the academy? Do you get to go home at night? etc. A. The APD Academy is approximately 5 1/2 months long. If you are accepted for a Police Officer position, you would receive a 'Training' salary rate -- and upon completion of training, you would be increased to the full step (entry level) salary. The Academy is currently scheduled Monday through Thursday from 0700 to 1800 hours (4/11 days with an unpaid lunch). You do go home at night, where you may choose to study, prepare and excel at the training -- or not. It requires more self-initiation and self-discipline than a 'live-in' academy. There are pros and cons to both styles. Also, there is a 3 1/2 month Field Training period after Academy completion. If you are not successful during your training, you would be released from the APD. Historically, every Academy has about 4-5 persons who do not complete the training for various reasons. Q. When a police officer issues a citation, does he/she have to sign the ticket? A. Currently, the original (court copy) of the citation is required to be signed by the officer when submitted. In the future and as technology changes there may be a change in the court rules that allows some type of electronic signature. Q. I'm currently serving in the United States Navy and I am interested in joining your police force when I leave active duty. I am concerned with a few things though. I was wondering what the changes of going through the academy or even being accepted into the academy while staying in the U.S. Naval Reserves. Would you even accept someone with that commitment? Also what is the percentage of recruits that make it through the academy? A. You do not need to be concerned about joining our department and having a reserve commitment. We have many officers serve in Reserve and National Guard Units; in fact, several officers have been recently activated. Our Recruiting and Training Departments try to select candidates that meet department requirements and have the best opportunity to complete the training. It is difficult to give you a percentage of candidates that don't make it through the process, but normally there are a few candidates from each academy that realize that police work is not what they expected. If you are considering APD, please visit our website at www.joinapd.org. Q. I am an avid biker and have a question about biking in Anchorage. Where is the proper place to ride a bike - in the road, or on the sidewalk? For example, Northern Lights has a sidewalk but I had always thought that sidewalks were for pedestrians. What are the regulations? A. Title 9.38.060: Riders to use right edge of roadway; riding abreast; stop before entering or crossing street. Q. I had a motorist threaten me while driving to work on 6/29/05. Normally I wouldn't think twice about it, but he made a verbal threat against my life. Should I report this verbal threat? A. YES! Anytime someone makes a threat against your life that seems more than just a passing statement, you should report this to the local police. Example: if an upset customer or colleague were to say: "I'm so mad right now, I could just hurt someone"...this would be a passing statement. If, however, the statement were: "I'm so mad at you right now, I'm just going to stomp you (or another person) into the ground" - (and they were making some substantial step towards you (or another)...this would be considered Disorderly Conduct as written by Municipal Code. Please bear in mind that not all investigations result in a criminal arrest and/or charges being filed against another. That decision is solely upon the discretion of the Prosecuting Office, in coordination with the police. At a minimum, there would be an official report on file as to the suspected persons actions and/or conduct. Q. We discovered the front plate missing on our personal vehicle. The rear plate is in place. Is it a requirement to have a front license plate? If yes, what action do I need to undertake? A. Per Alaska State Statues and Municipal Ordinance, there must be two license plates attached to each motor vehicle (car, truck, bus, motorhome). Q. My neighbor plays his music so loud my dishes rattle in my cupboards. Is there some sort of law in Anchorage that would tell him to turn his music down? A. Conduct you describe is covered by the Disorderly Conduct section of Anchorage Municipal Code. There is no noise restriction time in this code; it is enforced by the ordinance definition of loud noise, and the law requires that the offending individual be informed that his conduct is disturbing others before he can be charged. If this problem continues, you can make a loud music complaint to APD dispatch at 786-8500 for an officer response. The officer will contact the offender and warn him as required. If the offender refuses to quiet down, he can be charged with Disorderly Conduct. Q. How can I submit a report/complaint about an on-duty officer's reckless driving? A. If you witness an officer driving recklessly you should contact the Anchorage Police Department switchboard (786-8500) and ask for a patrol supervisor to contact you. The supervisor will take your information and will initiate an investigation in reference to the officers' conduct. If a supervisor is not available in a timely manner, re-contact the switchboard and ask the switchboard to direct your call to the Internal Affairs Division. Q. Is it illegal to shoot animals with a BB gun in a residential neighborhood? Are soft guns illegal in the municipality? A. Anchorage Municipal Code 8.25.030 regulates Discharge of Firearms within the Municipality. It states, in part, it is unlawful for any person to knowingly shoot, discharge, or flourish any firearm, air rifle or air pistol within the MOA except in those areas open to the public for lawful hunting or upon established shooting ranges. Q. My husband is 24 and I am 20. Is it legal for me to go into clubs or bars with him? A. In short -- YES -- you may accompany your spouse into a licensed premise but cannot be served. The premise has the right to refuse your entry -- as any private business or residence may choose. You may research this State Statue online at www.touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/statues.htm. It is found under Title 4, Alcoholic Beverage Laws. Q. I want to sell a handgun that has an Alaska Drivers License number etched on it. Should I etch over it to make it unreadable before trying to sell it? Does the etching and/or the ADL make the gun unsellable? Do you have any other advice to sell the gun safely? A. You would be best served speaking with a licensed gun sales person or the BATF at 271-5701. There are very few restrictions in selling your firearm, but speaking bluntly and from experience: 1). copy down your serial number, model and make (i.e. Colt, 45 caliber model 1911, serial number BR459). You'd be surprised at how often the police use a registration trace to find the first purchaser and then others. It might save you some extensive scrutiny and time in the future. Q. What is the law regarding running snow machines within city limits? A. Snow machines are not permitted to run on MOA property (with the possible exception of a couple of lakes in town and Chugach State Park) or private property (without permission of the land owner). if the machine is being operated on private property and the operator has permission to do so or is the property owner then it becomes a noise issue. A responding officer would then have to make a judgement on how disruptive it is deemed to be. Q. Can you get a ticket for having your front license plate in the front window of your car? A. Yes, you can receive a citation for not having your front plate attached to your front bumper. If your car is registered in Alaska, you are issued two plates (front and rear). The rear plate must have the month and year tabs on it. If you purchased a vehicle without a front plate, go to DMV and obtain a new set of plates. Q. I am trying to find out more on children riding on motorcycles. I now they have to have a helmet but is there a certain age they have to be before they can ride as a passenger. Also, where are they to sit? A. Title 9.40.020 section D (interference with operator) is the only section that makes reference to your question. It states no operator may carry any person nor may any person ride in a position that will interfere with the operator or control of the motorcycle or the view of the operator. No age is stated. Q. Is there an upper age limit for the patrol officer position? A. The Anchorage Police Department requires that an applicant for the position of Patrol Officer be at least 21 years old. There is no upper age limit. The APD has hired recruits from the age of 21 through the age of 51 over the last 3 or 4 years so you can see that age is not a major factor. Q. What are the laws concerning use of firearms within the city limits? In particular firing the firearm in or around an apartment complex? A. Under Municipal Ordinance 8.25.030 Discharge of Firearms Q. My wife and I were wondering why the curfew laws do not appear to be enforced. It seems lately that many of the people involved in unlawful behavior are juveniles and they are raising havoc after the curfew hours. A. The curfew laws are still being enforced. You are correct that we have more calls-in-stack, than officers to handle them. It is not uncommon for Mid Shift Patrol (2300-0900 hours) to have 20+ calls waiting for an officer. When officers are free to enforce laws, they do. We can't stop vehicles just to identify the occupants for their age status. We stop the vehicles for a multitude of reasons, then we legally identify the occupants. Q. Can I get a restraining order on someone who has been harassing me? If so, how do I go about it? A. A Domestic Violence Restraining Order is a special type of restraining order issued by the court when convinced that the applicant has been a victim of domestic violence by a household member. In this case your scenario would not apply for such. You can, however, phone the Anchorage Police Department with each harassing phone call and begin the documentation process. She could then be charged with Illegal Use of a Telephone if she continues this behavior once advised by an officer that she is violating the law (8.10.090). |
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