Anchorage Police Department
Encyclopedia
The Anchorage Police Department (APD) is the police department
of the Municipality of Anchorage
in Alaska
. It is the largest police force in Alaska
.
had been in the hands of the United States Marshals. On November 23, 1920, Anchorage was incorporated as a first class city.
On December 22, 1920, the City Council appointed John J. Sturgus to begin as Chief of Police on January 1, 1921, at a salary of $200 a month. He was a one-man police department until his death just six weeks later. He was shot and killed with his own gun on February 20, 1921. Sturgus's murderer was never apprehended. The city council voted to offer a $1,000 reward, the mayor pledged an additional $250, and all other council members and clerk pledged $100 each, bringing the total reward to $1,950. His death was to be APD's first unsolved homicide. Many men served as chief during Anchorage's violent territorial years. In 1926, the council began hiring night watchmen during the long winter months of October through March. On June 19, 1935, the council received a petition signed by seven property owners to provide a 24-hour police force.
The Department got along on foot with the occasional use of a citizen's borrowed car and the use of taxis until the city decided to purchase a vehicle. In August 1930, APD got its first police vehicle: a used Ford for $63.75. It wasn't until April 1941 that the council voted to purchase the Department's first new police car—a 1941 Dodge
4-door sedan, completely equipped with siren and spotlight, for $1,401.80.
In the late 1930s and early 1940s, the military began building bases and the population of Anchorage began to grow, jumping from 4,229 in 1939 to 30,060 in 1950.
In 1975, the City of Anchorage merged with the Greater Anchorage Area Borough (GAAB) to form the Municipality of Anchorage. Though APD contracted police services to the Borough, "Spenard officers" had to use separate ordinances and accounting systems in their duties. APD's service area increased from 31 square miles (80.3 km²) to 110 square miles (284.9 km²).
Today, the Anchorage Police Department is the largest police department in Alaska, serving a population of roughly 275,000 in a service area encompassing 159 square miles (411.8 km²). There are several specialized units including Canine, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Homicide Response Team, Hostage Negotiations Team, Bomb Team, School Resource Officer (SRO), Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), Identification Section, Data System Section, Records Section, Traffic and Crime Prevention Unit. APD's Homicide Response Team has been nationally recognized for their techniques and solvability rate. Chief is Mark Mew was appointed into office on January 25, 2010. Mew has extensive police serive with both the Anchorage Police Department and the Anchorage School District, where he served as Director of Security and Emergency Preparedness for six years.
The Anchorage Police Department's website claims that "APD has come a long way since those early Territorial years" and then states that, nevertheless, "the men and women of the Anchorage Police Department are proud of their heritage and remain dedicated to protect and serve their community."
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
of the Municipality of Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is a unified home rule municipality in the southcentral part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost major city in the United States...
in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. It is the largest police force in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
.
History
The city of Anchorage had a modest beginning as a tent city on the banks of Ship Creek and was originally called Ship Creek Landing. Law enforcement for the Alaska TerritoryAlaska Territory
The Territory of Alaska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 24, 1912, until January 3, 1959, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Alaska...
had been in the hands of the United States Marshals. On November 23, 1920, Anchorage was incorporated as a first class city.
On December 22, 1920, the City Council appointed John J. Sturgus to begin as Chief of Police on January 1, 1921, at a salary of $200 a month. He was a one-man police department until his death just six weeks later. He was shot and killed with his own gun on February 20, 1921. Sturgus's murderer was never apprehended. The city council voted to offer a $1,000 reward, the mayor pledged an additional $250, and all other council members and clerk pledged $100 each, bringing the total reward to $1,950. His death was to be APD's first unsolved homicide. Many men served as chief during Anchorage's violent territorial years. In 1926, the council began hiring night watchmen during the long winter months of October through March. On June 19, 1935, the council received a petition signed by seven property owners to provide a 24-hour police force.
The Department got along on foot with the occasional use of a citizen's borrowed car and the use of taxis until the city decided to purchase a vehicle. In August 1930, APD got its first police vehicle: a used Ford for $63.75. It wasn't until April 1941 that the council voted to purchase the Department's first new police car—a 1941 Dodge
Dodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
4-door sedan, completely equipped with siren and spotlight, for $1,401.80.
In the late 1930s and early 1940s, the military began building bases and the population of Anchorage began to grow, jumping from 4,229 in 1939 to 30,060 in 1950.
In 1975, the City of Anchorage merged with the Greater Anchorage Area Borough (GAAB) to form the Municipality of Anchorage. Though APD contracted police services to the Borough, "Spenard officers" had to use separate ordinances and accounting systems in their duties. APD's service area increased from 31 square miles (80.3 km²) to 110 square miles (284.9 km²).
Today, the Anchorage Police Department is the largest police department in Alaska, serving a population of roughly 275,000 in a service area encompassing 159 square miles (411.8 km²). There are several specialized units including Canine, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Homicide Response Team, Hostage Negotiations Team, Bomb Team, School Resource Officer (SRO), Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), Identification Section, Data System Section, Records Section, Traffic and Crime Prevention Unit. APD's Homicide Response Team has been nationally recognized for their techniques and solvability rate. Chief is Mark Mew was appointed into office on January 25, 2010. Mew has extensive police serive with both the Anchorage Police Department and the Anchorage School District, where he served as Director of Security and Emergency Preparedness for six years.
The Anchorage Police Department's website claims that "APD has come a long way since those early Territorial years" and then states that, nevertheless, "the men and women of the Anchorage Police Department are proud of their heritage and remain dedicated to protect and serve their community."
Fallen officers
Since the establishment of the Anchorage Police Department, 10 officers have died in the line of duty.| Officer | Date of Death | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Chief of Police John J. Sturgus | |
Gunfire |
| Chief of Police Harry C. Kavanaugh | |
Gunfire |
| Patrol Officer Benjamin Franklin Strong | |
Gunfire |
| Patrol Officer William G. Pfalmer Jr. | |
Gunfire |
| Patrol Officer Johnathan Paul Flora | |
Gunfire |
| Patrol Officer Harry Edward Kier | |
Automobile accident |
| Patrol Officer Harry Biddington Hanson Jr. | |
Gunfire |
| Patrol Officer Louie Gordon Mizelle | |
Gunfire |
| Senior Patrol Officer Dan Richard Seely | |
Gunfire |
| Patrol Officer Justin Todd Wollam | |
Vehicular assault |