ANCHORAGE, AK – Mayor Ethan Berkowitz and Governor Bill Walker today announced a strategic partnership between the Anchorage District Attorney’s Office, Municipal Prosecutor’s Office, and the Anchorage Police Department to increase prosecution of felonies in Anchorage, particularly for domestic violence and property offenses.
This effort charts new ways to leverage existing state and local resources in Anchorage.
“The State of Alaska and Municipality of Anchorage have limited resources but a shared mission to improve public safety,” said Governor Walker. “We can accomplish this better by working together, especially when it comes to domestic violence cases. This new collaboration will help build a safer Alaska.”
“Public safety is our top priority, and we are finding new ways to cooperate across state and municipal lines for the benefit of all Anchorage residents,” said Mayor Berkowitz. “This effort is made possible by the growth of the Anchorage Police Department, and the willingness of the prosecuting agencies to adopt innovative solutions in the face of the state fiscal crisis.”
Currently, the State Department of Law prosecutes all felonies that occur in Anchorage and throughout Alaska. The Municipal Prosecutor’s Office prosecutes misdemeanor offenses and has special expertise in prosecuting domestic violence offenses. In order to increase the number of felony domestic violence and felony property crime prosecutions, the Municipality will provide two police officers to serve as investigators within the Anchorage District Attorney’s Office. “These positions will improve the quality and efficiency of our investigations, making Anchorage safer,” said Chief Justin Doll.
A state-funded municipal prosecutor will also be cross-designated as a special assistant district attorney for these prosecutions. “Expanding the capacity of the state’s prosecutors in Anchorage is a good step to hold bad actors accountable, protect survivors, and use our resources efficiently — a mutually beneficial plan to reinforce the strength of our justice system and build a safer Alaska,” said Attorney General Lindemuth.
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Media contacts:
Kristin DeSmith, Communications Director, Office of the Mayor, desmithk@muni.org, (907) 231-2226
Austin Baird, Press Secretary, Office of the Governor, austin.baird@alaska.gov, (907) 310-9761