Legislature(2023 - 2024)GRUENBERG 120
02/22/2023 01:00 PM House JUDICIARY
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Department of Public Safety Operations | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE JUDICIARY STANDING COMMITTEE
February 22, 2023
1:34 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Sarah Vance, Chair
Representative Jamie Allard, Vice Chair
Representative Ben Carpenter
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative David Eastman
Representative Andrew Gray
Representative Cliff Groh
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION(S): DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY OPERATIONS
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
JAMES COCKRELL, Commissioner
Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented a PowerPoint, titled
"Department of Public Safety Overview," during the Department of
Public Safety Operations presentation.
LISA PURINTON, Legislative Liaison
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented a PowerPoint titled
"Department of Public Safety Overview" during the Department of
Public Safety operations presentation.
DAVID KANARIS, Chief of Forensic Laboratories
Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented a PowerPoint, titled
"Department of Public Safety Overview House" during the
Department of Public Safety operations presentation
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:34:00 PM
CHAIR SARAH VANCE called the House Judiciary Standing Committee
meeting to order at 1:34 p.m. Representatives Vance, Allard,
Carpenter, Eastman, Gray, Groh were present at the call to
order. Representative Johnson arrived as the meeting was in
progress.
CHAIR VANCE talked about the Judiciary Committee and its
purpose.
^PRESENTATION(S): Department of Public Safety Operations
PRESENTATION(S): Department of Public Safety Operations
1:35:28 PM
CHAIR VANCE announced that the only order of business would the
Department of Public Safety Operations presentation.
1:35:51 PM
JAMES COCKRELL, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety, gave
a PowerPoint, titled "Department of Public Safety Overview,"
during the Department of Public Safety Operations presentation
[hard copy included in the committee packet]. He began on slide
1 by introducing all staff present on the phone line.
1:36:51 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL provided a broad overview of the
Department of Public Safety (DPS), and his presentation. He
said that last year the department was provided resources that
have turned to positive public safety results for Alaska. He
reported that the overall crime rate is lower today than it was
in 1974. He highlighted DPS efforts to seize fatal doses of
fentanyl and other drugs in 2022. He talked about hiring two
new investigators of murdered missing Indigenous women and
persons and said there are currently 65 village public safety
officers (VPSOs) serving rural Alaska. He announced that DPS is
moving forward with a new bodycam program and said a pilot
program is planned to be launched in the coming months ahead of
full deployment in the summer.
1:38:34 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL outlined the department's key objectives
on slide 2: recruiting and retaining troopers/staff, bolstering
rural Alaska law enforcement and safety, focusing on domestic
violence and sexual assault, staffing the VPSO program,
protecting fisheries and wildlife resources, and investigating
narcotics and major crimes. He reported that in the governor's
amended budget, the department is at 951 permanent full-time
staff, 16 full/part-time investigator positions, and has a total
budget of $299,938,800.
1:40:29 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL spoke on the statewide responsibilities of
DPS and the Alaska State Troopers while on slide 3. He
explained that the department is responsible for law enforcement
patrol and investigations, resource protection, domestic
violence/sexual assault/victim services, special patrol
activities, and search and rescues. He said the department also
manages the Alaska Scientific Crime Detection lab, and the
Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN).
1:41:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked Commissioner Cockrell to speak on
sexual assault kits.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL explained that when a sexual assault
occurs in Alaska, and the person has undergone DNA collection
and examination, then that is when the department has an
unprocessed kit. The kit is then sent to the forensic lab
("crime lab") within 30 days, and the lab will hold the kit
indefinitely as evidence. He said a kit is typically processed
in 55 days. He noted that several years ago there was an
estimated the backlog of about 1,800 kits. He reported that the
department, after getting an additional kit analyst and federal
funding, had cleared the 1,800 kit backlog. He noted that DPS
has one long term non-permanent sexual assault investigator that
reviews the kits and conducts follow up investigations. In
response to a question from Representative Allard, he clarified
that the department had cleared the previous backlog but
currently has kits within evidence that have not been tested.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked for the date the department began
clearing the 1,800-kit backlog, and the number of backlog kits
that were processed. Further - if there is a backlog currently
- if Commissioner Cockrell knows the amount.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL clarified that the number of cleared
backlogged kits at that time, 1,800, is a guesstimate. He said
he can provide Representative Allard with the dates and number
of kits DPS processed.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD stressed the importance of getting the
numbers before the end of Commissioner Cockrell's presentation.
1:45:31 PM
LISA PURINTON, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Public Safety, said the state crime lab, on its
website within DPS, tracks the number of backlogged DNA kits.
Of the previously mentioned 1,800 untested kits, she said DPS
has processed all of them. She explained the lab's definition
of a backlogged kit: a kit that has not been processed in over
30 days. She said the number of backlogged kits currently is
48.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD aired her concern with the definition of a
backlogged kit. She requested the number of processed kits.
MS. PURINTON assured Representative Allard that she will get the
requested information.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked Ms. Purinton to confirm the total
number of backlogged sexual assault kits in the entire state.
MS. PURINTON confirmed that there are 48 kits that have gone
unprocessed for over 30 days. She said she will get the number
of untested kits to Representative Allard.
1:47:31 PM
CHAIR VANCE asked why there is a backlog despite there being a
full-time position in the lab to process kits. She asked for
further information about the timeline of processing backlogged
kits.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL said DPS is required by law to get the
kits processed within 90 days. He said he would not consider
the 48 kits to be backlogged. He detailed the kit process:
extract DNA samples, submit data into evidence, and upload the
data to the combined DNA index system (CODIS). He said the
information is then brought to the officer/trooper who is
working the case and the Department of Law (DOL); then a
decision is made whether to arrest the individual and adjudicate
the case.
CHAIR VANCE asked how long it took the crime lab prior to the
passage of House Bill 31, during the Thirtieth Alaska State
Legislature.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL deferred to Mr. Kanaris.
1:49:41 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:49 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
1:50:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE Allard asked Mr. Kanaris for the definition of a
"backlogged" kit that has not been tested, as well as the number
of untested and unprocessed kits in the state.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL relayed his understanding to Mr. Kanaris
that there are 48 unprocessed kits.
1:52:30 PM
DAVID KANARIS, Chief of Forensic Laboratories, Department of
Public Safety, explained that the crime lab defines "backlogged"
as any case that is over 30 days old that has not completed
testing, and said this includes the kits that have been
partially completed. He reported the number of DNA cases on
record statewide - comprising offences of either sexual assault
with an adult or sexual assault of a minor - as 59. He said the
average age of the cases is 47 days. He said the crime lab
would not know of any unsubmitted kits since the kits are
submitted to the lab by law enforcement agencies in the state.
1:53:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked, since the kits are submitted to the
lab from law enforcement agencies across the state, whether
there might be unreported cases that the department may not be
aware of.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL responded there's a good chance.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked about the potential of there being
an unknown number of unreported kits.
COMISSIONOR COCKRELL explained that, by law, law enforcement
agencies must return the kits within 30 days. He repeated that
it takes 90 days to process a kit.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD sought further clarification on the
unknown number of unreported kits.
1:54:40 PM
CHAIR VANCE asked Commissioner Cockrell to explain where the DNA
test kit originates and when the counting begins to process a
kit.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD noted that her question had not yet been
answered.
1:55:38 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:55 p.m. to 1:56 p.m.
1:56:24 PM
CHAIR VANCE asked Commissioner Cockrell to answer the question
she had asked prior to the at-ease.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL answered that, following a sexual assault,
an officer/trooper handles the investigation, and a nurse
processes the kit. The kit requires information from a full
examination of the person who was assaulted. Following
processing, the kit and evidence is sealed, and the law
enforcement agency then returns the kit to the state crime lab.
He noted that in Alaska, most sexual assaults occur against
women, and that the state leads the nation in the number of
sexual assaults per capita.
CHAIR VANCE asked what entity initiates the request for an
unused DNA kit.
COMISSIONER COCKRELL explained that local law enforcement
agencies request unprocessed sexual assault kits. He said the
crime lab keeps track of every sexual assault kit that leaves
and returns to the lab, processed or not. He said an
application ("app") is being developed that would allow victims
of sexual assault to track their kits from initial examination
to final completion.
CHAIR VANCE asked for the number of unused kits that were sent
to local law enforcement agencies but were not returned to the
state crime lab.
1:59:21 PM
MR. KANARIS responded that he does not have a number. He said
the crime lab is the lead entity in the state that orders
untested kits provided to law enforcement agencies. He said
batches of 50-100 kits are typically sent out to law agencies,
and said the assumption is that the "vast majority will be
used." He explained that the kits are also used to be broken
down for demonstration purposes, and as a result, there is no
1:1 ratio between the number of distributed and returned kits.
He talked about the crime lab's plan to assign a barcode to each
kit for tracking purposes, as well as for data integration to a
kit tracking software. Once the app is online, he said, the
crime lab will then be able to track the data that committee
members are requesting.
CHAIR VANCE asked when the tracking software will be online.
MR KANARIS answered that the software will be sequentially
deployed throughout the state. He said initial deployment will
begin in April.
2:01:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN asked if there is a desire to redefine,
in statue, what is considered a backlog.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL replied that, regarding the timeline
outlined in AS 44.41.065, the crime lab does not have a
processing backlog. He said the lab is currently processing
kits quicker than what is required by statue.
REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN asked if there has been interest within
DPS to change the 90-day requirement.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL answered that since kits are being
processed within the required legal timeframe, DPS is meeting
current statute requirements.
2:02:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked Mr. Kanaris for the number of sex
assault kits that have been sent out to law enforcement agencies
in the state to be used.
MR. KANARIS explained that the crime lab manually tracks the
kits and will continue to do so until the tracker software is
operational. He offered to provide Representative Carpenter
with the number of kits sent out in the last few years.
2:04:15 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL presented a graphic on slide 4 depicting
an organizational chart for DPS. He walked committee members
through the chart.
2:05:07 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL detailed the department's successes in
2022 on slide 5. He said the department added two missing and
murdered Indigenous people investigators to focus on cold case
disappearances and murders of Alaska Natives. He reported that
DPS seized 13,425,000 potentially fatal doses of illicit
fentanyl last year, as well as 81 kilograms of meth, 40
kilograms of heroin, and 3,300 bottles of illegal alcohol that
were bound for dry villages.
2:06:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON asked, in reference to the 13,425,000
fatal doses of fentanyl that were seized last year, how that
amount would be measured in weight.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL could not answer.
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON queried about the volume of the seized
drugs, and whether the number reflects fentanyl seized in "pure"
or "cut" forms.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL answered that DPS has been seizing
fentanyl in both forms. He said the department has seized
fentanyl that was laced with other substances, like heroin or
marijuana. He said the reason dealers lace fentanyl in drugs is
that it makes "their high, higher" and the drug more addictive.
He noted that last year there were about 200 drug overdoses in
the state. He noted a rise of seizures in cocaine.
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON asked if the data on the 200 overdose
deaths breaks out into different types of drugs.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL said the overdose death data touches on
all drugs. During the autopsies, he said the deceased were
found to have a "cocktail" of drugs within their system. He
offered to follow up later and provide information from the
medical examiner's office regarding drug overdoses. He agreed
to a request by Representative C. Johnson to provide committee
members with the total weight of all the possibly fatal doses of
fentanyl that were seized in 2022.
2:09:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GROH highlighted Commissioner Cockrell's comment
regarding Alaska having a 15 percent decline in crime rate but
also the highest rate of domestic violence and sexual assault
per capita in the country. He asked what the committee or
legislature could do to reduce the rates in the state.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL replied that Alaska is among the top
states in the country for rates of violent crime per capita
based on 2022 unified crime reports (UCR) data. He addressed
the rate of domestic violence and sexual assault, and explained
that law enforcement does play a role in addressing those acts,
but he said the issue is larger than just law enforcement. He
highlighted work the Council on Domestic Violence & Sexual
Assault has done but stressed that there must be societal change
before a real difference is made in the offence rate. He
referenced the rates of sexual assault in rural Alaska, and said
that between Bethel and the Northwest Arctic Borough, there were
over 300 sexual assaults documented.
REPRESENTATIVE GROH noted his own experience as a former
prosecutor. He asked Commissioner Cockrell if he has any
suggestions on how the legislature could help DPS in getting
more certainty of apprehension and successful prosecutions. For
example, if there were any adjustments to the budget or state
law that could help further that.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL answered that passing new laws or tweaking
existing laws right now would not make a huge difference. He
suggested that more resources go towards law enforcement
agencies and prosecution in certain areas of the state. He
explained that, in his experience, cases do get dismissed due to
a lack of prosecutors, and he said the Office of the Governor is
addressing the issue. He said his focus is rural Alaska, and
stressed that DPS does not have the resources necessary to
provide protection to some communities in the state. He said
DPS is behind on the power curve, suggested that until the state
puts a concentrated effort in rural Alaska, DPS will continue to
suffer.
2:15:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON asked about the state's declining
crime rate. He asked if the statistical methodology has changed
since 1974.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL replied that the methodology has not
changed. He said DPS continues to use UCR for reports to the
Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and as a data source for
yearly reports.
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON asked if the crime data within UCR
accounts for cases where an officer was present. He provided an
example where a person makes a call only to create a case number
for insurance.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL explained that DPS has an online reporting
system where an individual can send a report to the local state
trooper detachment regarding criminal activity and have a case
created. He said UCRs have remained consistent since the 1930s.
He spoke on looking at crime overall and advised that the data
needs to be viewed in the long term over short term "spikes."
He said COVID has affected the crime data.
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON asked if reports sent through the
online crime report system feed into FBI data.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL clarified that the crime must meet UCR
criteria to be reported. He explained that, in order to
decrease the call volume to DPS and its detachments, the online
crime report system was created to capture "lower level" crimes
for individuals seeking an insurance claim. He said the data
from a case sent online would be submitted into UCR.
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON asked if the UCR criteria is publicly
available.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL responded that the UCR data is accessible
to the public on the Internet, and all 2022 crime data is on the
DPS website. He stressed that the data in UCR only accounts for
reported crimes.
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON stressed the difficulty in
understanding that, while the crime rate is going down
statewide, he still hears about and sees signs of petty crime in
his community. He said some of those crimes also go unreported;
therefore, he is unsure the crime rate is going down.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL said the visual signs of crime depend on
the area individuals live in and how active the local law
enforcement agency is. He explained that if the local agency is
engaged and responds to every call in the community, then the
community will be more apt to report crimes. Conversely, if an
agency is overburdened and unable to respond to calls, he said,
there is a tendency of lower level crimes going unreported.
REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON asked if Commissioner Cockrell could
name one law enforcement agency in the state that is not
overburdened.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL replied no, "not really."
2:21:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked how often cases or arrests in the
state were dismissed due to a lack of process on law
enforcement's part.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL said DPS does not keep track of the number
of dismissed cases. He explained that the case is submitted to
DOL, regardless if there was an arrest or not. He said DPS
submits cases where an arrest was not made based on a legal
review of the case prior to charging.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked if the number of cases between
DPS and the DOL match. He explained he is seeking "where the
problem is breaking down." He said he wants to know the data on
why the DA could not prosecute a case. He asked if DPS has data
that reflects why a case was dismissed, and whether if DPS does
not track that, DOL does.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL said DPS does not collect the data
Representative Carpenter is seeking. He said DOL has criteria
for screening cases, and part of the decision is whether DPS has
enough evidence to convict the individual. He said each
community is different, and shared an example from Cordova where
prosecution would not take a driving under the influence (DUI)
case on a resident because the jury would not convict.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked if the example Commissioner
Cockrell shared is anecdotal, and if there is data supporting
that instance.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL confirmed that the example is real. He
said in Cordova there was not one DUI case.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER opined on the lack of case data, and
stressed that cases not being prosecuted is a problem the
legislature needs to better understand. He said he needs data
from law enforcement on cases that are going unprosecuted,
whether it be due to lack of evidence or a jury problem.
2:28:24 PM
CHAIR VANCE asked Commissioner Cockrell for the number of sexual
assaults reported where the victim seeks a case. She said it is
her understanding that often women will be too scared to act
against the offender. She asked for the ratio of women who say
yes to move forward, and who have a case.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL could not answer but suggested that the
question may touch on anonymously submitted sexual assault kits.
He said anonymously submitted kits are stored in the evidence
locker at DPS indefinitely until the person decides to go
forward in the legal process.
2:29:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked what the department understands
regarding marijuana laced with fentanyl reaching Alaska. She
said her understanding is that fentanyl reaches the state from
Mexico and overseas, and asked if marijuana is affected.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL relayed his understanding from drug
investigators that DPS has seized marijuana laced with fentanyl.
He said fentanyl is primarily produced in China. He outlined
the route the drugs go through to reach Alaska: manufactured in
China; shipped to Mexico; traveled north through Phoenix,
Arizona, Los Angeles, California; and then shipped to Seattle,
Washington, before reaching Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked, since marijuana has become legal in
Alaska, whether there has been an uptick in usage by minors.
Further, regarding the black market of marijuana, she asked
whether fentanyl is being brought in at the same time.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL explained that fentanyl is primarily
coming to the state in pure, pill form. Further, fentanyl has
been found laced in other drugs like marijuana. He couldn't
answer on whether the state is getting large shipments of
marijuana since Alaska is a marijuana state.
2:32:42 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL continued to slide 5. He reported 51 new
troopers started training in 2022. He said DPS expanded the
department's wellness program, which he said provides mental
health support for troopers and staff. He shared his hope that
a project to equip all state troopers with body worn cameras be
completed by the end of the summer. He said the body cameras
add transparency to DPS.
2:33:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY returned to a question posed by
Representative Allard. He shared his understanding that,
because of the legalization of marijuana in Alaska and the
availability of dispensaries, there are checks and balances
available now that make buying fentanyl laced marijuana from a
licensed dispensary unlikely.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL clarified that the data on slide 5 covers
illicit fentanyl and said there is legal fentanyl used for
medical purposes. On addressing the likelihood of buying
fentanyl laced marijuana at a dispensary, he agreed that the
chances are very slim.
2:34:47 PM
CHAIR VANCE requested Commissioner Cockrell to continue with his
presentation.
2:36:27 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL talked about the Division of Alaska State
Troopers on slide 6. He highlighted the Alaska Bureau of
Investigation, and said it conducts major crime investigations
in the state, as well as financial crime investigations. He
explained the division's enforcement of drugs and alcohol and
said that most troopers participate in drug task forces across
the state. He pointed to a graphic on slide 6 showing the four
Alaska State Trooper detachments and what region each detachment
covers: A detachment covers Kenai and Southeast Alaska, B
detachment covers the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, C detachment
covers Western Alaska, and D detachment covers Interior Alaska.
2:37:50 PM
CHAIR VANCE asked why there is no detachment on the North Slope.
COMISSIONER COCKRELL said the North Slope Borough has its own
police department.
2:38:15 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL talked about accomplishments and
challenges for the Division of Alaska State Troopers on slide 7.
He spoke on the accomplishments and challenges for the division.
In comparing 2022 to 2021, he reported that the division seized
215 percent more methamphetamine, 440 percent more fentanyl, 334
percent more heroin, solved 85 percent of homicides within
trooper jurisdiction, and expanded the two-on/two-off posts in
rural Alaska. As for challenges, he said the division continues
to struggle with recruitment and retention and noted that new
troopers are being offered a $20,000 signing incentive. He said
the technological changes in how crime is carried out is a
challenge. He explained that the importation of drug and
alcohol into rural Alaska, and providing adequate housing for
troopers in that region, are challenges facing the division.
2:40:35 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL presented changes of interest in the
division's 2024 budget on slide 8. He outlined the requests:
digital evidence management software for online evidence
management, one or two criminal justice technician(s) for
Anchorage, two forensic technicians for Wasilla and Kenai, and
expanded internet connectivity in rural posts. He said that
once all troopers are outfitted with body worn cameras, adequate
Internet connectivity in rural areas will be needed in order to
better download data.
2:41:59 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL presented the Division of Alaska Wildlife
Troopers on slide 9. He said there are 90 wildlife troopers in
the state. He explained that wildlife troopers are commissioned
troopers and receive the same training as state troopers. He
highlighted that a challenge for the division is managing
Alaska's 6,640 miles of coastline, as well as significant hunts
and fisheries. Another challenge he pointed to is the
complicated regulatory structure while having limited resources.
He illustrated the challenge by reporting that there were
891,000 licenses sold and only 90 troopers to provide management
statewide in 2022. He noted that the Alaska Department of Fish
and Game (ADF&G) has been putting out emergency orders more
frequently, and it has been difficult for the public to track
the orders.
2:43:17 PM
CHAIR VANCE asked if the ADF&G hunting app is in real time, and
if it could help the public to better follow the regulations.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL said he did not know about the app. He
stated that individuals need to know the regulations before
going out to hunt or fish.
2:44:15 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL presented slide 10, which showed a graph
on state trooper and VPSO staffing. He reported that within the
last two years the department has been able to fill all the open
VPSO positions. He said the department has 143 memorandum of
understanding (MOU) agreements with villages in the state, but
stressed the department only has 65 VPSOs. He corrected the
slide, which shows 68 but the number of actual VPSOs is 65. He
said the number if MOUs show the importance of the program to
rural Alaska.
2:45:41 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL described the aircraft and marine sections
within DPS while on slide 11. He reported that the department
has 44 aircraft in 19 separate bed-down bases. He further
reported that the aircraft section had flown 5,667 hours in
2022. He spoke on the department's marine section, and said it
operates both large and small vessels. Considering the size of
the state's coastline, fisheries, and hunting resources, he said
the marine section is a backbone for the Division of Alaska
Wildlife Troopers. He said the section's largest vessel is 160
feet in length and is stationed in the Bering Sea. He said the
department has put in a budget request to replace the 84-foot
vessel P/V Enforcer due to major failures.
2:47:10 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL reported the status of the VPSO program in
2022 while on slide 12. He said the program was awarded
$15,207,700 in funds last year. He said the program has 10
grantees and presented a map of Alaska showing where the
grantees are located.
2:47:51 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL moved to slide 13 to talk about the Public
Information Office within the Commissioners office. He reported
that the department averages 9,027 record requests each year.
Since 2018, the department received 45,135 requests with 29,178
hours logged by staff to fulfill the requests. He advised the
committee that the number of requests is expected to increase
once body worn cameras are launched, and to address statutory
requirements as well as the additional requests for video
recordings, he said the department is requesting four staff
positions: An information systems coordinator and three criminal
justice technicians.
2:48:50 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL presented on the Division of Fire and Life
Safety while on slide 14. He said the department is requesting
resources to hire a deputy fire marshal to serve Southeast
Alaska, and said his goal is to also hire a deputy fire marshal
for the Kenai Peninsula area.
2:49:28 PM
COMISSIONER COCKRELL moved to slide 15 to outline the
responsibilities of the Division of Statewide Support, which
includes duties within the Office of the Commissioner,
Administrative Services, and Statewide Services. He said when
he became commissioner, he had moved components of the Division
of Alaska State Troopers and other divisions into the
commissioner's office in order to lighten the workload of state
troopers. An example he shared was the VPSO program, as it was
moved to be under the commissioner's office. He said the
department is requesting a full-time director position for the
VPSO program. He explained the administrative support services
the division is responsible for: central administrative support,
grants, finance, budget, procurement, and facilities management.
As for statewide support services, he said the division is
responsible for: information systems, Alaska Public Safety
Communication Services, criminal justice information systems
programs, and the Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory.
2:51:09 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL moved to slide 16 to further present on
statewide support services. He talked about the Alaska Public
Safety Communication Service, a service that provides emergency
communication for first responders. He said DPS is where the
program belongs after previously being housed under the
Department of Administration and the Department of Military &
Veterans' Affairs. He reported that the service supported
12,409,758 calls.
2:52:10 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL skipped slides 17-19, citing that the
information was already discussed earlier in the meeting.
2:53:07 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL talked about the Council on Domestic
Violence and Sexual Assault in slide 20 and shared that he is a
board member. He explained that the goal of the council is to
reduce the amount of violence and sexual assaults in the state.
He said the council has 11 members, 11 full-time staff, hosts
trainings, manages 90 grant awards, and funds 34 community-based
agencies. He said the council is implementing a language access
plan allowing for online information on what agencies to visit
in Alaska's most commonly spoken languages.
2:54:12 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL presented on slide 21 the Violent Crimes
Compensation Board. He said the board exists to alleviate the
financial burden victims face following a violent crime. He
noted that this was another program DPS had brought in after
previously being under the Department of Administration, and
reported the board having three staff, three board members, and
over 1,000 applications. He said the program started in 1973,
and at that time had 15 applications three staff, and three
board members. He said DPS is requesting two additional staff
positions for the board.
2:54:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked how many staff would be adequate.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL replied that, looking at the national
average based on the number of applications received, the
department will need to increase staffing. He relayed his
concern about the existing two staff positions, as the positions
came with no funding. He explained that the program is funded
by restorative justice via the permanent fund. He said his fear
is that, since the funding is for both staff salaries and the
victim's claims, he does not want to reduce claims because of
the cost of additional staffing. He shared his hope that the
legislature will provide funding to the board.
2:56:09 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL presented slide 24 on the Alaska Police
Standards Council. He explained that the council seeks to
produce and maintain a highly trained and positively motivated
professional capable of meeting contemporary law enforcement
standards of performance. He then presented slide 25 regarding
the Council on Human and Sex Trafficking. He said the program
is new.
2:57:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked about the Fire Standards Council.
He asked if the requested position Commissioner Cockrell
mentioned could help with certification paperwork.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL shared that the requested position is an
additional deputy fire marshal and is not related to the
council. He shared his understanding that a previous
legislature "really did not want" the Alaska Fire Council to be
set up like the Police Standards Council and took a staff
position from the fire council. Commissioner Cockrell said DPS
is working to decrease the time it takes to get certificates
out. He said the legislature must decide what direction to take
the council.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER said it is his understanding that the
Fire Standards Council would be responsible for updating the
states standards that firefighters adhere to. Further, he asked
if the standards are tied to federal funding, and whether by not
having a council, the state would not receive the federal
funding.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL said he believes the Fire Standards
Council is needed, but said he does not know if having the
council is tied to federal funding. If the legislature decides
to change statute and makes it so there "shall" be a Fire
Standards Council, and funds positions, he said DPS would
support that. He said the council is not a mandatory function
of DPS.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked if the council falls under DPS.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL confirmed that it does fall under DPS.
REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked if the committee could have
confirmation from DPS that there needs to be a function within
the Fire Standards Council in order to maintain certification
for firefighters, and whether that function is tied to funding.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL said he could find that out.
3:01:35 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Judiciary Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 3:01 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Public Safety Overview House Judiciary 2 22 2023.pdf |
HJUD 2/22/2023 1:00:00 PM |
|
| DPS Objectives.pdf |
HJUD 2/22/2023 1:00:00 PM |