LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which  distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming.  (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

State's Transportation Plan Gets Federal OK
28 Mar 2024 15:06

By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
    Federal officials on Wednesday approved most of Alaska’s four-y [ ... ]

New Funding Plan Ahead for Visit Sitka?
28 Mar 2024 15:02

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    At an hour-long work session with the Assembly Tuesda [ ... ]

Sitka 'Frankenstein' Puts Classic Tale in New Ligh...
28 Mar 2024 15:01

By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
    The story behind a classic, though often misunderstoo [ ... ]

State May Los Millions Over Ed Dept. Missteps
28 Mar 2024 14:59

By CLAIRE STREMPLE
Alaska Beacon
    The state government risks losing millions of dollars in feder [ ... ]

Gov Signs Bill On Internet In State Schools
28 Mar 2024 14:57

By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
    Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Wednesday signed a bill that promise [ ... ]

Capitol Christmas Tree to Come from Tongass
28 Mar 2024 14:56

By YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
    Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, known for its steep mountains [ ... ]

City League Games Thursday
28 Mar 2024 14:52

By Sentinel Staff
    Playing Wednesday in competitive division City League volleyball matches, Ca [ ... ]

March 28, 2024, Police Blotter
28 Mar 2024 14:50

Police Blotter
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
March 27
At 2:36 p.m. a dead  [ ... ]

March 28, 2024, Community Happenings
28 Mar 2024 14:48

This Week in Girls on the Run By Sitkans Against Family Violence
and The Pathways Coalition
During th [ ... ]

New RFP Sought For Managing PAC
27 Mar 2024 14:48

By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
    The future of management and operations at the Perform [ ... ]

Seiners Get Second Day with 2 Areas to Fish
27 Mar 2024 14:46

By Sentinel Staff
    The Sitka Sound commercial herring sac roe fishery continued today with open [ ... ]

Braves Take Second in Last Minute Upset
27 Mar 2024 12:41

By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
    After storming into the state 3A boys basketball brac [ ... ]

Tuesday City League Volleyball
27 Mar 2024 12:39

By Sentinel Staff
    The Queen Bees’ spotless season record ended Tuesday night with a 2-1 loss [ ... ]

Kodiak Alutiiq Museum Getting New Attention
27 Mar 2024 12:37

By SHIRLEY SNEVE
Indian Country Today
    A major renovation at an Alaska museum to attract tourist [ ... ]

House Hearing on Inmate Deaths Halted
27 Mar 2024 12:35

By CLAIRE STREMPLE
Alaska Beacon
    A presentation about a jump in the number of inmate deaths in  [ ... ]

Nominee to Bering Sea Council: Not a Trawler
27 Mar 2024 12:34

By NATHANIEL HERZ
Northern Journal
    Tribal and environmental advocates calling for a crackdown o [ ... ]

March 27, 2024, Police Blotter
27 Mar 2024 12:26

Police Blotter
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
March 26
At 2:10 p.m. a man e [ ... ]

March 27, 2024, Community Happenings
27 Mar 2024 12:25

Big Rigs Sought
For April 13
The 3 to 5 Preschool’s spring fundraiser and Big Rig event is happening [ ... ]

Reassessments Raise Tax Bills for Sitkans
26 Mar 2024 15:22

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    The city’s reassessment of taxable real estate, alo [ ... ]

Two Areas Opened in Herring Fishery Today
26 Mar 2024 15:21

By Sentinel Staff
The third opening in this year’s Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery was held Mon [ ... ]

Lady Wolves Rally to Take Fourth at State
26 Mar 2024 15:16

By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
    Sitka High’s Lady Wolves bounced back from an openi [ ... ]

Edgecumbe Girls Close Out Season Up North
26 Mar 2024 14:58

By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel ports Editor
    Competing in the state 3A basketball tournament in Anc [ ... ]

City League Monday
26 Mar 2024 14:55

By Sentinel Staff
    Playing in a competitive division City League volleyball game Monday evening [ ... ]

House Votes to Broaden Rules For Review Panel Memb...
26 Mar 2024 14:52

By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
    A bill that passed the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday  [ ... ]

Other Articles

Daily Sitka Sentinel

Sitka Police Disclose All Operating Policies

By Sentinel Staff

The entire police department operating procedures manual was made public today, two weeks after the city denied news media requests for the department’s “use of force” policy. 

The request followed the posting of a YouTube video earlier this month showing police using a Taser in a tussle with a prisoner in the Sitka jail.

On Nov. 13 the city clerk cited exemptions allowed under the state and city public records laws in denying the Sentinel’s request for a copy of the police department’s “use of force” policy. The Sentinel gave notice the same day that it would appeal to the Assembly.

On Friday the city clerk said the appeal would not be on Tuesday’s Assembly agenda because City Attorney Robin Koutchak was working on a solution to the request. 

Today, the police department issued a statement announcing that the entire police Operating Procedures Manual, including the use of force policy, was being made available to the public, and is now posted on the police department page at cityofsitka.com.

The issue came up more than three weeks ago when a 2014 Sitka Police Department video was posted on YouTube showing the detention of Franklin Hoogendorn, then 18, in the Sitka jail. Hoogendorn had been arrested on several alcohol-related charges. In the video, he is seen being stripped down to his undershorts as he struggles with three police officers in a holding cell. As he continues to resist, one of the officers Tases Hoogendorn on the leg. 

Sitka Police Chief Sheldon Schmitt said when the video was posted that it was “tough to watch” but the officers’ actions were within the use of force policy.

The section of the 342-page manual released today states that force may be used “only to the extent that is reasonably necessary in any given situation” and advises that an officer “should not use more force than is necessary in any situation.” 

The manual does not define what constitutes “reasonably necessary” and Police Lt. Lance Ewers explained today that this is partly by design. 

“An OPM or operating procedures manual is a rule book and not a law book,” Ewers said. “It’s vague because it’s a rule and not a law. The law is not vague.” 

Ewers went on to explain that the law regarding use of force by police officers is clear. The rule book is intended to act as a guideline for the department, which is why the policy is intentionally vague. 

“Rules are made for the guidance of wise men but only for the obedience of fools and idiots,” Ewers said. 

He also said that law, as well as the department policy, are considered when any use of force is reviewed by the department.

“We would gather the audio, we would gather the video, gather the reports and witness information. And we would try and determine if it followed policy and if it broke any laws, and if so, it would be dealt with accordingly,” Ewers said. 

The 2014 Tasing incident, like all use of force scenarios, was reviewed within the department in this fashion, he said.

City Administrator Mark Gorman said he was happy the manual was made available to the public following a legal review.

Ewers also said he welcomes the transparency. 

“I feel great about it. I feel like the people are the police and the police are the people,” he said. “This is just the rule book here. There’s no problem with telling people what’s in the rule book.”

Lt. Jeff Ankerfelt commented in the announcement that the department places a priority on the safety of officers and the public.

“The Department is committed to limiting the use of force and maintains those practices whenever applicable. Policies and guidelines are based on those of the Alaska State Troopers and any case resulting in activity above normal handcuffing is thoroughly reviewed.”

The OPM is available through the city’s website cityofsitka.com and at sitkapd.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have no rights to post comments

Login Form

 

20 YEARS AGO

March 2004

Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.

50 YEARS AGO

March 1974

Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.

Calendar

Local Events

Instagram

Daily Sitka Sentinel on Instagram!

Facebook

Daily Sitka Sentinel on Facebook!