Legislature(2013 - 2014)BUTROVICH 205
02/11/2014 03:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB98 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 98 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
February 11, 2014
3:32 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Peter Micciche, Chair
Senator Cathy Giessel, Vice Chair
Senator Dennis Egan
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Lyman Hoffman
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 98
"An Act relating to Department of Public Safety regulations
allowing village public safety officers to carry firearms."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 98
SHORT TITLE: VPSO FIREARMS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) OLSON
04/05/13 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/05/13 (S) CRA, STA
02/11/14 (S) CRA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
SENATOR DONALD OLSON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska,
POSITION STATEMENT: SB 98 Sponsor.
DAVID SCOTT, Staff for Senator Olson
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of SB 98.
COLONEL JAMES COCKRELL, Director
Alaska State Troopers
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Stated that the Alaska State Troopers
supports SB 98.
TERRY VRABEC, Deputy Commissioner
Alaska Department of Public Safety
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Stated that the Alaska Department of Public
Safety supports SB 98.
GARY FOLGER, Commissioner
Alaska Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 98.
SERGEANT JODY POTTS, VPSO Director
Tanana Chiefs Conference
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 98.
ANNE SEARS, Representative
Public Safety Employees Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 98.
KATHIE WASSERMAN, representing herself
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 98.
JOY HUNTINGTON, Representative
Tanana Chiefs Conference
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 98.
MIKE COONS, representing himself
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Did not indicate a position on SB 98.
JOE MASTERS, representing himself
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 98.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:32:33 PM
CHAIR PETER MICCICHE called the Senate Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. Present
at the call to order were Senators Egan, Bishop, Vice-Chair
Giessel, and Chair Micciche.
CHAIR MICCICHE welcomed Senator Olson to the meeting.
SB 98-VPSO FIREARMS
3:33:23 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE announced that the purpose of the meeting is to
hear SB 98; an act relating to the Alaska Department of Public
Safety (DPS) regulations allowing Village Public Safety Officers
(VPSO) to carry firearms. He noted that Senator Olson is the
bill's sponsor. He said it is his intent to not pass SB 98 out
of committee at today's meeting. He specified that public
testimony and committee discussion will commence today. He said
SB 98 will be back before the committee at the next scheduled
meeting.
3:33:51 PM
SENATOR HOFFMAN joined the committee meeting.
3:34:01 PM
SENATOR DONALD OLSON, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska,
bill sponsor, introduced SB 98. He said part of the reason why
he brought SB 98 forward is because over the last several years,
as we have seen our society become more and more violent, there
has been more and more violence against the VPSO in particular.
He disclosed that there have been two deaths in the Bristol Bay
area and areas outside of his district. He specified that in his
district, District T, there were two bouts with force that
involved a gun and resulted in a VPSO being severely injured. He
said the recent incidences is reason it is about time that SB 98
be brought forward in order to go ahead and try and remedy the
situation where VPSOs on the front lines have little backup. He
asserted that SB 98 will provide protection for VPSOs to defend
themselves as well as community members. He explained that in
regulation a prohibition exists against VPSOs having and
carrying firearms. He explained that SB 98 will take away the
prohibition and allow individual "nonprofits" to decide for
their respective boroughs whether to go ahead and allow their
VPSO to carry firearms.
3:35:47 PM
DAVID SCOTT, Staff for Senator Olson, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, informed the committee that SB 98 clearly
establishes the legislature's intent that VPSOs be allowed to
carry firearms. He said SB 98 sets forth that VPSOs would have
to meet satisfactory training requirements. He noted that since
SB 98 was introduced during the 2013 legislative session, DPS
has drafted regulations to allow properly trained VPSOs to carry
firearms while on duty. The regulations also detail training and
oversight requirements. He said passage of SB 98 will make the
state's support clear and unambiguous for allowing VPSOs to
carry firearms.
MR. SCOTT recounted that in March 2013, there was a horrible
incident where an unarmed VPSO in Manokotak was shot and killed,
leaving a lot of folks very disturbed in the area as well as
around the state. He said the Manokotak incident was also a
reminder of the 1986 slaying of another VPSO in the Bristol Bay
region of Naknek. He set forth that VPSOs often work without
backup in remote locations where a call to the Alaska State
Troopers (AST) can mean hours or days before backup arrives.
He asserted that Senator Olson feels that it is not reasonable
to continue to ask VPSOs to walk unarmed into situations that
pose obvious personal danger. He added that it is the sponsor's
hope that arming the first responders will have a deterrent
effect in providing safety to VPSOs and communities. He informed
the committee that SB 98 does not require VPSOs to be armed. He
noted that while the state funds the VPSO program, provides
officer training and administrative support, it is Alaska's
regional native associations that hire VPSOs and work with the
communities where they are posted. He asserted that the wishes
of individual communities must be respected and everyone
involved must have a thorough understanding of the issue
surrounding VPSOs, which is why there is no mandatory language
inside the bill.
3:38:23 PM
He revealed that Senator Olson's office as well as the sponsor
in the other body's office was notified last week of a VPSO
program oversight that DPS is in the process of rectifying. He
informed the committee that Colonel Cockrell will address the
specific issue. He added that Deputy Commissioner Vrabec will
provide detailed information about the VPSO weapons training
program that the DPS will administer.
CHAIR MICCICHE asked for a summary regarding VPSO work session
and stakeholder meeting that occurred.
MR. SCOTT replied that he has listened to a portion of the
meeting and read the sponsor's companion bill. He stated that he
will provide a summary to the committee at the next meeting.
CHAIR MICCICHE replied that a summary would be helpful in
understanding the point of view of those most exposed to the
VPSO program on a daily basis.
3:40:44 PM
COLONEL JAMES COCKRELL, Director, Alaska State Troopers,
Anchorage, Alaska, supports SB 98.
3:40:55 PM
TERRY VRABEC, Deputy Commissioner, Alaska Department of Public
Safety, Juneau, Alaska, supports SB 98.
COLONEL COCKRELL addressed the situation pertaining to a current
VPSO that has a felony conviction, something that is against the
regulations. He noted that he will explain the kind of
procedures that DPS has taken to follow up on the issue. He
recounted that he reviewed the individual's when the felony
issue was brought to his attention. During the file review he
noted that DPS had given the nonprofit a waiver to allow the
person to be hired as a VPSO. He specified that the individual
was charged on several counts in 1999 and eventually pleaded out
to third degree assault in 2000. He explained that the DPS
Commissioner referred to a provision that allowed for a waiver.
He noted that the provision did not specify waiver allowance. He
noted that the DPS Commissioner provided the nonprofit with a
waiver to hire the individual with a felony and the individual
is still employed as a VPSO. He set forth that referencing the
incident was done to make sure that DPS was transparent and open
with the discovery.
3:43:01 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL asked if DPS will put in place criteria for
psychological testing and background checks to permit weapons to
be carried. She said she is not opposed to the bill, but
asserted that there is going to have to be more screening and
training.
COLONEL COCKRELL replied that DPS is in favor of arming VPSOs.
He concurred that there is going to be a process that will be
different than unarmed VPSOs, including different psychological
tests, polygraph, strict firearms training in addition to the
current use of force training provided at the Public Safety
Training Academy (PSTA).
SENATOR GIESSEL asked to confirm that the AST training happens
in Sitka.
COLONEL COCKRELL answered correct.
SENATOR GIESSEL asked to clarify that VPSOs receive part of the
AST training. She asked exactly what the VPSO training entails.
3:44:37 PM
MR. VRABEC confirmed that DPS' PSTA is located in Sitka. He said
municipal officers, state agency officers like park rangers, as
well as AST are trained at PSTA. He set forth that DPS is very
proud of PSTA and the training program. He said VPSOs are also
trained at PSTA as a separate academy. The VPSO candidates
receive similar training, but VPSOs do a lot more than some of
the traditional law enforcement. He specified that VPSOs receive
extensive fire, search and rescue, and additional medical
training over a 10 week period with an additional 2 weeks at the
Fire Training Academy. He summarized that VPSOs receive 12 weeks
total training at PSTA. He said compared to the Municipal
Academy, which is more traditional law enforcement, the training
period is 15 to 18 weeks and is dependent on the type of
officer. He specified that the Municipal Academy is a 900 plus
hour academy where the VPSO Academy is approximately 600 plus
hours.
He referenced SB 98 and noted that DPS supports the bill. He
noted talking to PSTA's Commander regarding the addition of
firearms training for VPSOs. He specified that the current
firearms training is more than firearm use, there is a lot of
training that goes into teaching someone carrying a weapon when
not to shoot. He explained that when PSTA talks about the use of
deadly force, there is a continuum for the moment a hand is laid
on someone to place under arrest up to the various tools that an
officer or trooper may have on their belt. He added that there
is a lot of training besides just the range training that an
officer must meet and PSTA will be just as adamant with VPSOs.
MR. VRABEC said to be qualified to carry a firearm an individual
must pass the firearms training and there will be no rubber-
stamped certification for candidates. He asserted that the PSTA
takes the use of deadly force very seriously and the training
process is very important to PSTA. He pointed out that the PSTA
Commander is very adamant that he and his staff can develop a
good and safe training program.
3:47:33 PM
SENATOR HOFFMAN asked if PSTA is the only academy where
individuals can receive firearms training.
MR. VRABEC replied that there are two other academies: the
Anchorage Police Department and the University of Alaska-
Fairbanks runs an accredited law enforcement academy. He noted
that both academies are also approved by the Alaska Police
Standards Council as well as PSTA.
SENATOR HOFFMAN asked that in order to save on expenses would
the existing VPSOs be able to get training in Anchorage since
they already received their other training PSTA.
MR. VRABEC answered that the topic could be discussed, but
asserted that his answer is no because some of the equipment,
training, and staff is specific to PSTA in Sitka. He said DPS
can better train VPSOs at PSTA in Sitka.
SENATOR EGAN addressed training hours and noted that Mr. Vrabec
said 600 hours is currently required for the basic VPSO
training. He asked if the VPSO firearms training will entail
additional training.
MR. VRABEC answered yes. He said the added firearms training
will be a couple of weeks, but the exact hours has not been
determined.
CHAIR MICCICHE clarified that the VPSO is a village's first-
responder rather than a police officer. He asked to verify that
the VPSO receives firefighting as well as law enforcement
training.
3:50:15 PM
MR. VRABEC replied yes. He noted that VPSO receive some training
that police officers do not receive.
CHAIR MICCICHE asked if VPSO training includes nonlethal
solutions.
MR. VRABEC answered yes. He specified that VPSO training does
not involve firearms to this point. He noted that VPSOs have
several tools on their belt and are force-continuum trained for
the use of handcuffs, pepper spray devices, or Taser devices.
CHAIR MICCICHE noted that any non-felon Alaskan that passes a
background check can carry a weapon in the state of Alaska. He
said there clearly is a liability issue. He asked if there had
been actions against the state for liability due to an injury or
fatality caused by an unarmed VPSO being in a bad situation.
MR. VRABEC replied that he was not aware of past liability
issues and asked the Colonel Cockrell for his input.
3:52:03 PM
COLONEL COCKRELL answered that he does not have direct knowledge
of any lawsuits initiated by a VPSO arrest.
SENATOR GIESSEL noted Chair Micciche's question and asked to
clarify that VPSOs are employees of the native corporations and
not employees of the state. She inquired why the state would
carry the VPSO liability.
COLONEL COCKRELL specified that when DPS enters an agreement
with the nonprofits, they sign a release saying that they are
responsible for VPSO liability. He pointed out that he is not an
attorney and hates to get into answering what the state's
liabilities are. He noted that DPS is married to the VPSO
program by providing oversight and training. He set forth that
he is unable to answer questions regarding state liability from
VPSO actions.
SENATOR HOFFMAN addressed the liability issue and noted that the
question has come up in the past. He specified that public
safety is the responsibility of the state. He said the state is
contracting with the nonprofits to provide a service on behalf
of the state of Alaska. He noted that the issue of liability has
come up and in his opinion is unanswered. He pointed out the
fact that the native corporations are providing a service on
behalf of the state of Alaska at a much reduced cost in lieu of
a trooper, something that the corporations understand and are
more than willing to provide.
CHAIR MICCICHE noted that great points were brought up. He
clarified that his liability inquiry was brought up to address
the possibility for the proliferation of VPSO liability suits in
the past and possibly the future where people go for the
deepest-pockets. He asked Mr. Vrabec if a VPSO video overview
will be presented to the committee.
MR. VRABEC confirmed that his intent is to have the VPSO
presentation at the next meeting.
3:55:44 PM
SENATOR BISHOP announced that he had one question for DPS
Commissioner Folger. He addressed a quote from former DPS
Commissioner Masters where he said he was offended by the
suggestions that the character and quality of VPSOs is such that
they cannot safely be allowed to carry firearms in the course of
their duties. He asked DPS Commissioner Folger if he concurred
with former Commissioner Masters' assessment.
3:56:02 PM
GARY FOLGER, Commissioner, Alaska Department of Public Safety,
Anchorage, Alaska, answered that he does concur.
3:56:59 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE opened public testimony.
3:57:18 PM
SERGEANT JODY POTTS, VPSO Director, Tanana Chiefs Conference
(TCC), Fairbanks, Alaska, supports SB 98. She said she agreed
with previous testimony that there has been an increase in the
level of violent crime and officer assaults. She stated that SB
98 is important and noted her background as a VPSO in addition
to growing up in a village. She noted her support for SB 98 as a
necessity for VPSO safety, but pointed out her reservations
concerning the screening process. She detailed that VPSOs are
not armed and individuals go through a very basic criminal
background checked. VPSO candidates are interviewed by the
nonprofit where a decision is made whether or not to hire. She
asked that the VPSO standards be raised to include a screening
process to address mental and physical fitness, especially to
address liability concerns for the nonprofits. She said she has
full faith in the VPSO training at PSTA. She noted her past
training experience at PSTA was very high quality and prepares
VPSOs for work done out in the field. She asserted that there is
a lot that is expected of VPSOs and SB 98 will further the
quality and possibilities for rural Alaskans and their public
safety measures.
4:00:22 PM
ANNE SEARS, Representative, Public Safety Employees Association,
Anchorage, Alaska, noted that she has been a State Trooper for
13 years and spent 11 years in the Bush; 7 years in Nome and 4
years in Galena. She said she has had the privilege of
overseeing and working with VPSOs in Nome and Galena. She read
the following prepared statement:
I am speaking to the committee in support of not only
the training of armed VPSOs to the standard of other
certified police officers, but the rigorous background
and psychological "vetting" that should accompany the
training of an armed VPSO. Being a certified police
officer is an incredible responsibility. I carry a gun
and a badge, and am authorized to shoot in defense of
the life of others and of myself; it is a
responsibility I assume every day when I go to work
and I do not take lightly. I did go through one week
of handgun training when I was at PSTA; it was a week
of intense training, but it wasn't only just the one
week. During the entire PSTA, which when I went
through for the troopers was 17 weeks all together
back in 2001, during the entire PSTA training, the use
of force-continuum was emphasized from a certified
police officer's mere presence, which is at the low
end of the use of force-continuum to the use through
the use of deadly force; it was reemphasized with
scenarios, not just one week of handgun training, but
every week. We were shown, lectured about, and
listened to audio about shoot and don't shoot real
life situations which we may encounter as troopers and
police officers every day. Not only the one week of
handgun training and then the everyday emphasis of use
of force, we also went through defensive tactics and
that's not just in defense of ourselves, defense of
others, but also weapon retention, learning how to
hold on to our weapons, regain our weapons if ever in
the off chance came that we did lose our weapons. As
you all know, we did lose a police officer in Kenai
who was shot with his own weapon, I think it was five
or six years ago. After PSTA, I had 14 weeks of field
training; that field training is with an experienced,
certified police officer. I was exposed daily to
stressful, sometimes potential lethal situations. I
had the benefit, even after field training, of having
those experienced officers, not only to back me up,
but debrief after high risk calls I was exposed to.
Now after 13 years of being a trooper, I have the
benefit of working side-by-side with other men and
women who have had the same training at PSTA as I had,
the same field training as I had after PSTA, and can
trust their decision making because of their training
and their experience. If VPSOs are armed, they need to
be afforded the same training and experiences as I and
other fellow, certified police officers have received.
In order to bear the responsibility of the use of
deadly force, they need the same intense background
investigation and training as any other certified
police officer; that is what we should expect of our
VPSOs if we arm them, the training and experience in
order to bear the responsibility of the use of deadly
force, but the same background and training as any
other certified police officer we can reasonably trust
we are safe, that they are safe, and the public that
they serve and we serve are safe as well. If we don't
give the VPSOs the training and experience they are
entitled to, the state and corporations expose
themselves to liabilities in a case of wrongful death
or even injury because of their actions. I feel that
if we train the VPSOs, give them their arms, and we
train the VPSOs to use those handguns, I think the
state does bear a responsibility, not just the
nonprofits that hire them in their different regions.
4:05:13 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE announced that Ms. Sears was roughly double over
her time limit.
MS. SEARS summarized as follows:
Certified police officers bear a heavy responsibility.
Every day we go to work we bear the awesome
responsibility of life or death. We are vetted and
then trained to be able to bear the responsibility. We
do not take it lightly. We have the intestinal
fortitude with which to bear that responsibility.
CHAIR MICCICHE noted that the police officer Ms. Sears mentioned
in Kenai was John Watson, a good friend and a good man.
4:06:38 PM
KATHIE WASSERMAN, representing herself, Juneau, Alaska, supports
SB 98. She added that her organization has not taken a committed
stand on SB 98 and the topic will be discussed next week. She
surmised that many in her organization are in support of SB 98.
She noted her background as a mayor of two remote communities
that used the VPSO program. She added that her husband taught
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and first aid at PSTA. She
noted the 25 year problem with the VPSO program where the VPSO
is the only person in town with a stick and everyone else has a
gun. She noted difficulty in the VPSO position where the
individual has to respond to fires, EMS, domestic disputes, and
situations involving alcohol. She asserted that additional
training will be required should SB 98 pass. She remarked that
public safety is one of the main tenants of government.
4:09:20 PM
JOY HUNTINGTON, Representative, Tanana Chiefs Conference,
Fairbanks, Alaska, supports SB 98. She commended Sargent Potts
for her excellent job testifying earlier and noted that she has
done a great job while acting as an amazing role model across
the state for young women everywhere. She commended Senator
Olson for sponsoring SB 98. She revealed that the TCC's board
passed a resolution that supports the safety of VPSOs and
commends the state of Alaska for recognizing the need for
improved safety measures through legislation to arm VPSOs for
their safety and the safety of communities. She noted the VPSOs
receive retirement from the entity they are working for, but not
from the state. She asserted that VPSOs put their lives on the
line while their families are not fully protected. She called
attention to the positive working relationship between DPS and
TCC. She revealed her difficulty of growing up in a village
without a VPSO. She said an armed VPSO will change the dynamics
in a community and dispel wrongful intent. She summarized that
SB 98 will directly save lives and help people.
4:12:53 PM
MIKE COONS, representing himself, Palmer, Alaska, said he
submitted two letters for the record. He pointed out to the
committee that he had acted as a VPSO in Hooper Bay. He voiced
his concern for VPSO administrative protocol in the event a VPSO
uses a weapon. He noted the expense the state is bearing for the
VPSO program and asked that the nonprofit corporations pay for
more due to the direct impact on the native community.
4:15:48 PM
JOE MASTERS, representing himself, Anchorage, Alaska, supports
SB 98. He noted that he was the DPS Commissioner for the past
five years and was involved for 32 years. He said he served as
started a VPSO in the village of Unalakleet, municipal officer
in Unalaska, state trooper for 20 years, and then DPS
Commissioner for five years. He detailed that his responsibility
as DPS Commissioner entailed oversight for both the Uniform
Division as well as the VPSO program.
MR. MASTERS divulged that he was one of two DPS Commissioners
that served when a VPSO was lost in the line of duty. He said
over the past 35 years, VPSOs are asked to respond to criminal
offenses and act as law enforcement officers in the most remote
communities with the possibility for very little immediate
backup. He noted that VPSOs respond to the same types of
offences and incidences that police officers respond to on a
daily basis. He remarked that misdemeanor incidences or
violation offenses can quickly escalate into lethal events that
require VPSOs to defend themselves. He asserted that lethal
events do not give VPSOs the luxury of calling for backup or
allow for retreat. He noted the slow but steady increase in the
uses of force against police officers and VPSOs in Alaska. VPSOs
are experiencing serious assaults at the average of one per
month over the last couple of years with approximately seven
incidences involving suspects directly threatening officers with
firearms. He called attention to the following incidences:
· Murder of VPSO Thomas Madole in Manokotak who was
responding to a misdemeanor in March 2013.
· Southwest Alaska VSPOs assaulted with a shotgun where one
VPSO took pellets in the face.
· Northwest Arctic VPSO was responding to an intoxicated
individual where the individual pointed an AR-15 at the
VPSO.
He said the types of offenses against VPSOs in communities are
escalating. He noted that assaults against Alaska police
officers have increased 66 percent for injury assaults and 137
percent for non-injury assaults since 2002.
4:19:55 PM
He pointed out that the concept of arming VPSOs is not new and
noted that VPSOs could be armed when he started as a VPSO in
1982. He revealed that some villages had taken on additional
liability insurance for their VPSOs. He said the practice of
arming VPSOs ended in the mid to late 1980s. He pointed out that
police officers are not the only officers or employees of the
state that carry firearms as a regular part of their duties. In
downtown Anchorage there are armed security guards that are
trained and certified to carry firearms on a daily basis with no
incidents reported. He said to think that only certified police
officers can carry handguns is not a very good stance to take
nor would it be accurate to assume that only certified police
officers can safely carry firearms in the performance of their
duties.
MR. MASTERS set forth that there are three things that can be
done as follows:
1. We do nothing and keep it status quo.
2. Minimize risk by not placing VPSOs in the position of
responding to the types of offenses that could end up
taking their lives.
3. Take the steps necessary to allow VPSOs to be armed.
He asserted that allowing VPSOs to be armed is the right way and
really the only realistic way to move forward at this point. He
said he had the honor of attending the funeral services of
Thomas Madole and going through the services solidified in his
mind that the state of decline requires VPSOs to be armed.
He summarized that the VPSO program is changing, the demands in
the communities are changing, and what the VPSOs are facing is
certainly changing. He asserted that the reason why SB 98 and
the companion bill are receiving such broad support is because
it is the right thing to do.
4:23:04 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE noted that he allowed Mr. Masters to present his
full message due to his background with the VPSO program.
SENATOR HOFFMAN thanked Mr. Masters for taking time out of his
private life to come and testify before the committee. He said
the VPSO program is a very important issue to rural Alaska. He
declared gratitude for Mr. Master's public service commitment
and dedication to Alaska's public safety on behalf of the 62
communities that he represents today and the 150 communities
that he represented in the past.
CHAIR MICCICHE announced that no other members are signed up to
testify. He noted that the bill's fiscal note does include
additional liability insurance, if calculated on a per-armed
VPSO basis the liability insurance seems to be sufficient.
4:24:49 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE announced that SB 98 will be held until the next
committee meeting.
SENATOR BISHOP stated that he had a question for Deputy
Commissioner Vrabec and a comment. He asked what would be the
protocol should there be a firearm discharge from a VPSO.
MR. VRABEC replied that regardless whether it was a VPSO or any
type of shooting, DPS is going to respond respectively and do a
full investigation. DPS takes any type firearms discharge very
seriously whether it was a hunting issue or a fishing issue. He
asserted that there is no doubt that the public is owed an
investigation involving an officer shooting a firearm.
SENATOR BISHOP commented that he supports VPSOs receive their
training at PSTA in Sitka where the troopers receive their
training.
MR. VRABEC replied that he thanked Senator Bishop for his
support and asserted his belief at the moment that VPSO training
at PSTA in Sitka is the best choice.
CHAIR MICCICHE addressed the VPSO's other duties and asked if
some of the villages have a team approach with search and rescue
training. He also asked about various training that is offered
to VSPOs.
4:26:39 PM
MR. VRABEC replied that the Sitka Academy offers a lot of
different trainings in different areas throughout the year. He
noted that DPS, police departments, and the Alaska Police
Standards Council offer trainings that VPSOs are allowed to
attend. He explained that VPSOs are not officially on the
Special Response Team, but the VPSOs do respond with AST on a
regular basis to calls in hundreds of areas with some being very
serious.
CHAIR MICCICHE thanked everyone for their testimony. [SB 98 was
held in committee.]
4:27:29 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Micciche adjourned the Senate Community and Regional
Affairs Committee at 4:27 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 98 Version A.pdf |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 - Sponsor Statement.docx |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 DPS Draft Revised VPSO Regs.pdf |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 Supporting Document Alaska Dispatch Edgmon 9-13-13.pdf |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 Arming VPSOs Work Session-Stakeholder Summary 9-26-2013.pdf |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 Ralph Andersen - tesimony and BBNA resolutions 9-26-13.pdf |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 Supporting Document ADN Article 3-20-13.pdf |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 Supporting Document Wasserman letter 2-3-14.pdf |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 Supporting Document McCarthy Letter 10-18-13.pdf |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 Supporting Document ADN Hames Letter to Editor 3-22-13.pdf |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 Supporting Document Kamai.pdf |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 Supporting Document Jon Shivel email 9-1-13.pdf |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 Supporting Document Ron Leighton 9-20-13.pdf |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 Testimony with concerns Mike Coons - 2 letters.pdf |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 Concerns Document Robert Claus email 9-17-13.pdf |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 Concerns Document Dimitri Philemonof - APIA -9-21-13.pdf |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 Opposing Document Jimmy Stevens Sr. 8-12-13.pdf |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 Fiscal Note DPS-VPSOP 2-6-13.pdf |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 Hiring Regs 13 AAC 96 080.docx |
SCRA 2/11/2014 3:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 98 |