Lack of village police leads to hiring cops with criminal records in Alaska: Anchorage Daily News
In some parts of Alaska, local governments are so desperate for law enforcement they’ve had to hire people with criminal records. For example, in the village of Stebbins, all seven police officers have been convicted of domestic violence.
The problem is detailed in the second part of the Anchorage Daily News’ series called “Lawless,” which is looking at criminal justice in Alaska in conjunction with ProPublica.
ADN reporter Kyle Hopkins spoke with Alaska Public Media’s Casey Grove. Kopkins said Part 1 of the Lawless series — that found one in three Alaska villages has no consistent local police presence — built a foundation for the reporting in Part 2, out Thursday.
Feature Interview
For more on law enforcement, criminal justice and the challenges of providing public safety in small Alaska communities, listen to Alaska Public Media‘s Feature Interview with Kyle Hopkins, a reporter for Anchorage Daily News.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Police force in Northern Quebec faces officer shortage, CBC News
Finland: Police in Northern Finland overstretched, says retiring officer, Yle News
United States: Will a new policing strategy help fight crime in Alaska’s largest city?, Alaska Public Media
Thank you for your continued integrity in journalism as it relates to the Far North.