SB 53-LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY ACCREDITATION  3:51:28 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 53 "An Act relating to accreditation standards for law enforcement agencies." 3:51:47 PM SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON speaking as the sponsor of SB 53 introduced the legislation: [Original punctuation provided.] Senate Bill 53 is about ensuring that every Alaskanno matter who they are or where they livecan feel safe in their community and have trust in those who are sworn to protect them. It is also about giving our peace officers the tools, training, and standards they need to do their jobs effectively and with pride. Our law enforcement professionals perform some of the most difficult work in our state. They walk into uncertain situations every day with courage and resolve. This bill is not an indictment of their serviceit is an investment in their success and in the trust between officers and the people they serve. The concept of this bill was brought to me by the Anchorage Police Department Chief of Police Sean Case. Chief Case suggested an accreditation standard as a way to address multiple concerns across the state with one piece of legislation. SB 53 establishes a statewide accreditation standard. These standards include clear protocols for de-escalation as well as empowering officers to use nonlethal force whenever safely possible. SB 53 also strengthens the reporting and oversight of officer misconduct. It ensures that officers who witness misconduct are required to intervene and report it. This isn't just about disciplineit's about creating a culture of integrity that lifts up the entire profession. 3:53:26 PM SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON continued with the introduction of SB 53: And because Alaska is home to many rich and diverse cultures, this bill includes cultural competency training to help officers better understand and serve all Alaskans. Especially our Alaska Native communities, who have long faced systemic challenges within the justice system. The Alaska Police Standards Council will play a central role in certifying these reforms, providing training, and ensuring compliance. These are not abstract changesthey are practical steps that will lead to safer streets, stronger communities, and more confident, better-supported officers. SB 53 is not about choosing between community safety and officer safetyit's about recognizing that the two go hand in hand. Today is just the first step. I look forward to working with all the stakeholders to ensure we can create accreditation standards that work for everyone. 3:54:23 PM DEIRDRE GOINS, Staff, Senator Gray-Jackson, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided an overview and sectional analysis for SB 53. She moved to slide 2 and said SB 53 is accreditation for law enforcement agencies, not individual officers. The need for officers and public safety reform in Anchorage brought the legislation forward. She said SB 53 addresses the following: [Original punctuation provided.] Needed Reforms for Public Safety & Officer Safety • Standards of Excellence • Clear Policies & Procedures • Reduced Legal Exposure • Consistency Across Agencies • Funding Opportunities • Community Engagement & Confidence • Improved Industry Culture 3:55:45 PM MS. GOINS moved to slide 3 and discussed the minimum standards SB 53 seeks to impose and its areas of focus: [Original punctuation provided.] Minimum Standards Promote: • Consistency • Accountability • Professionalism • Community Trust Areas of Focus: • Use of Force • Cultural Competency • DV/IPV Response • Body-worn cameras • Witness Identification • Conduct Complaints • Highspeed Pursuits • Death & Crisis Notification 3:57:17 PM MS. GOINS moved to slide 4 and said 25-32 states have implemented varying levels of accreditation. She mentioned some of the positive outcomes that have occurred: [Original punctuation provided.] Measurable Outcomes • North Carolina agencies reported 25 percent decrease in Use of Force cases. • Wisconsin's program led to fewer escalated incidents. • Some Georgia departments saw up to a 20 percent reduction in civil litigation. • Many states have seen improved community satisfaction surveys. • Involved agencies are more likely to engage in community policing strategies. 3:58:48 PM MS. GOINS summarized the sectional analysis for SB 53: [Original punctuation provided.] Sectional Analysis-Version A  Section 1- Adds a subsection to AS 09.50.250  Actionable claims against the state.  (6) is for damages based on a law enforcement agency's (A) exercise, performance, or adoption of, or failure to exercise, perform, or adopt, the minimum standards and practices required to obtain and maintain the first tier of accreditation under AS 44.41.020(l) or required under a higher accreditation tier as established in AS 18.65.228(c); or (B) failure to obtain and maintain accreditation as required under AS 44.41.020(l). 3:59:17 PM MS. GOINS continued with the sectional analysis for SB 53: Section 2- Adds a new subsection to AS 09.65.070(d)  Suits against incorporated units of local government. (d) An action for damages may not be brought against a municipality or any of its agents, officers, ore employees if the claim (7) is based on a municipal police department's (A) exercise, performance, or adoption of, or failure to exercise, perform, or adopt, the minimum standards and practices required to obtain and maintain the first tier of accreditation under AS 29.71.070 or required under a higher accreditation tier established in AS 18.65.228(c); or (B) failure to obtain and maintain accreditation as required under AS 29.71.070. Section 3- Adds a new subsection to AS 18.65.220.  Powers.  The council has the power to (9) establish minimum standards and practices for the accreditation of law enforcement agencies in the state. Section 4- Adds two new sections to AS 18.65. Police  Protection.  Establishes a new section AS 18.65.227. Law  enforcement agency standards and practices.  (a) The council shall establish minimum standards and practices for the accreditation of law enforcement agencies, including standards and practices relating to (1) the administration, management, and operation of law enforcement agencies; (2) bias-based policing; (3) the use of force; (4) an agency's response to crimes involving family violence; (5) the use of body-worn recording equipment; (6) complaints of alleged misconduct by a law enforcement officer; (7) the use of electronic control weapons; (8) eyewitness identification procedures; (9) notification of death and death-related events; and (10) pursuits conducted by police officers. 4:00:38 PM MS. GOINS continued with the sectional analysis for SB 53: (b) The council shall base the standards and practices on standards established by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (c) The council shall establish three accreditation tiers. The standards and practices for the (1) first tier must be designed to protect a law enforcement agency from liability, enhance delivery of services, and improve public confidence in policing; (2) second tier must relate to the administration, management, and operation of a law enforcement agency; and (3) third tier must consist of standards higher than the standards outlined in the second tier for the administration, management, and operation of a law enforcement agency. Establishes a new section AS 18.65.229. Law  enforcement agency accreditation. (a) The council shall review a law enforcement agency's compliance with the minimum standards and practices adopted under AS 18.65.227 and issue a certificate of accreditation to the law enforcement agency at the appropriate accreditation tier. (b) The council shall work with a law enforcement agency that has failed to obtain or maintain accreditation under this section until the law enforcement agency achieves accreditation. (c) The council shall assist a rural law enforcement agency in securing funding for the purposes of obtaining and maintaining accreditation. In this subsection, "rural agency" means a law enforcement agency in a community with a population of 7,00 or less that is not connected by road or rail to Anchorage or Fairbanks. (d) The Department of Public Safety may not award a grant to a law enforcement agency that is not accredited. 4:01:50 PM MS. GOINS continued with the sectional analysis for SB 53: Section 5- Adds a new subsection to AS 18.65.290.  Definitions.  (10) "law enforcement agency" means a municipal police department, Alaska state trooper post, village public safety officer post, or regional public safety officer post. Section 6- Adds a new section to AS 29.71. General  Provisions.    Establishes a new section AS 29.71.070. Municipal  police department accreditation. (a) A municipality with a municipal police department shall obtain and maintain accreditation to indicate the police department's compliance with the standards and practices established in AS 18.65.227. Section 7- Adds a new subsection to AS 44.41.020 Duties of department. (l) The Department of Public Safety shall obtain and maintain accreditation for each Alaska state trooper post, village public safety officer post, or regional public safety officer post to indicate compliance with the standards and practices established in AS 18.65.227. 4:02:36 PM MS. GOINS continued with the sectional analysis for SB 53: Section 8- The uncodified law of the State of Alaska  is amended by adding a new section to read: TRANSITION: ACCREDITATION. A law enforcement agency that, on the effective date of this Act, is required to obtain and maintain accreditation under AS 29.71.070, enacted by sec. 6 of this Act, or AS 44.41.020(l), enacted by sec. 7 of this Act, has until January 1, 2027, to obtain the first tier of accreditation. In this section, "law enforcement agency" has the meaning given in AS 18.65.290. 4:03:28 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI asked whether municipal departments must create their own set of criteria and raised concern that, since the fiscal note shows high costs for state troopers, municipalities might also face those expenses. 4:03:54 PM MS. GOINS replied that the Police Standards Council will establish one unified set of standards, so agencies and municipalities will not bear significant costs for developing them. 4:04:26 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI asked what happens if a department lacks the funding or manpower to pay the minimums and how will a smaller agency afford the minimum requirements. SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON deferred the question to an invited testifier. 4:05:26 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI announced invited testimony on SB 53. 4:05:44 PM SEAN CASE, Chief, Anchorage Police Department, Anchorage, Alaska, answered questions and testified by invitation on SB 53. He explained that SB 53 aims to establish mandatory accreditation standards for all law enforcement agencies in Alaska, enhancing professionalism, accountability, and effectiveness. Accreditation ensures agencies meet consistent, nationally recognized standards covering areas like use of force, internal investigations, pursuit policies, and evidence management. He said mandatory accreditation provides a baseline of best practices, promotes regular internal and external reviews, and fosters accountability and transparency. It builds public trust by demonstrating a commitment to excellence, reduces liability risks, and strengthens service delivery. The first tier is designed to be achievable for agencies of all sizes, offering protection from liability while improving operations and community confidence. Overall, SB 53 sets a statewide framework for consistent, high-quality policing. He replied to Senator Kawasaki's previous question and said that the lowest tier of accreditation is intentionally designed with fewer requirements than national standards to accommodate small and remote Alaska agencies with limited funding and personnel. He highlighted that accreditation improves training and operational effectiveness by requiring agencies to review and strengthen programs. He said even though he supports SB 53, he acknowledged fiscal challenges and proposed a streamlined model with one program coordinator and one clerical staff to manage accreditation statewide. This approach would provide the support needed, especially for small and rural agencies. He noted some testimony may question the process rather than accreditation itself but emphasized that mandatory accreditation is a necessary and beneficial step for Alaska. 4:11:06 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI noted that when Fairbanks built a new department a significant amount of money and space were invested to adhere to evidence and records storage standards. He asked how standardized requirements would apply to remote Alaska locations that may have limited space or other constraints. 4:11:52 PM CHIEF CASE replied that the question gets to the heart of the challenges faced by law enforcement. Improperly stored records or evidence can hinder prosecutions, particularly in rural areas. He acknowledged financial and logistical hurdles, but emphasized that implementing accreditation standards represents a long-term commitment to improving police services, ensuring effective prosecution, and investing in agencies to provide the law enforcement quality all Alaskan communities deserve. [CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on SB 53.] 4:14:07 PM GREG RUSSELL, Life Member, Alaska Police Officer Association, Soldotna, Alaska, testified in support of SB 53 and emphasized that mandatory police accreditation is a key step toward accountability, transparency, professionalism, and public trust in law enforcement. Accreditation sets uniform standards across agencies, covering policies, training, accountability, and continuous improvement, which helps ensure equitable and effective policing statewide. He said benefits include improved officer skills, better community relations, reduced misconduct, and consistent operational practices. He acknowledged challenges, particularly for smaller agencies, and stressed the need for support such as funding or grants. While supporting the goals of SB 53, he suggested revisions to make the process more attainable and encouraged collaboration with agencies already pursuing accreditation to enhance professional development across Alaska. 4:20:31 PM MIKE GARVEY, Policy Director, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 53 and emphasized that law enforcement wields significant state authority and must uphold constitutional rights, including equal protection, free speech, privacy, and due process. He cited past failures, including deadly incidents and uninvestigated sexual assaults, to illustrate the harm caused when standards are not met. SB 53 aims to establish strong statewide standardscovering use of force, bias, misconduct complaints, escalation practices, cultural competency, and accessible services, to ensure professional, transparent, and trustworthy policing that builds public confidence and protects individual rights. 4:23:41 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI held SB 53 in committee.