Daily Sitka Sentinel

Abuse by SPD Alleged By Former Dispatcher

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer

A former Sitka Police Department employee spoke at the Assembly meeting Tuesday night to “put a face with a name” on her recent complaint about the department.

Allison Kirby, who was a department dispatcher in 2017 and 2018, spoke under Persons to be Heard at the start of the meeting.

Kirby had sent a letter to city officials on July 2, as well as to the media, Sitka Tribe of Alaska and the Alaska Police Standards Council, complaining about “issues of training, misuse of power and racism, among others ....” in the Sitka police department.

City Administrator John Leach wrote an official statement in response to Kirby’s letter the day it was received. He said the administration took Kirby’s report of misconduct seriously, but “it appears the alleged misconducts took place prior to a significant change in leadership within the department. In April 2019 a new administration was hired at SPD and has been in the process of reviewing past policies and procedures, making updates and changes when needed, ongoing training and constantly working to keep our officers updated with the ever-changing laws in our state.”

In her statement at the Assembly meeting, Kirby said the problems are still there.

“What I’m pressing for and would hope to hear addressed are specifics on how these accusations will be addressed, what power the city has to address them and have some insight provided into the city’s stance on these issues,” she said. “... I am not the first to voice concerns and the city has a history of dealing with similar complaints, up to and including lawsuits.”

The city recently settled lawsuits by a former officer and a former jailer, and a trial is scheduled on charges made by another former police department employee.

Kirby, who said she doesn’t plan to sue, told the Sentinel that she has been contacted by two Assembly members regarding her letter and comments to the Assembly.

After her time with the police department Kirby worked in the office of the assistant district attorney. Her July 2 letter is two pages of complaints related to what she “experienced or saw” in her work at SPD and the assistant district attorney’s office. Her last day of work for the state was July 1.

She wrote:

“This letter is not a top-to-bottom condemnation of all practices and  persons who work within our law  enforcement and prosecutorial systems. This is a plea to recognize our  shortcomings in vital areas.”

In his official statement responding to Kirby’s letter, Leach said, “Sitka is a culturally diverse City and our Police Department is a strong representation of the community they serve. Given the recent nationwide focus on law enforcement and their practices, SPD has been engaged with community partners to make sure we are serving our community with dignity, honor, and respect.

“It is the mission of the Sitka Police Department to safeguard the lives and property of our diverse community. Our mandate is to stop crime and enhance the quality of life in Sitka by delivering professional public safety services with integrity, respect, and courage.”