Holding law enforcement and prosecutors accountable in the Mat-Su

You are not alone if you have ever felt that someone ignored or did not handle a crime against you fairly. In the Mat-Su, crime has kept pace with our fast-growing population. Property crimes like theft and burglary are common, and drug-related offenses continue to strain public resources. With limited staff in both the courts and law enforcement, not every case gets the attention people think it deserves. Sometimes this is because of time limitations: judges and prosecutors only have so many hours in the day and hundreds of cases to process. Other times, the problem may be something more troubling: a law enforcement officer or a prosecutor who fails to do their job properly.

When that happens, it’s important to know that you have options. Our justice system only works if those in power are held accountable. That includes the police officers who investigate crimes, the Alaska State Troopers who patrol much of the borough, and the state prosecutors who decide whether charges get filed. While these professionals work hard with the best intentions, mistakes and misconduct can still occur. And if you believe that a mistake or misconduct allowed someone to get away with breaking the law, you have the right to speak up.

The first step is understanding that internal accountability systems exist. In Alaska, law enforcement officers answer to their own department’s leadership. For Mat-Su residents, that means the Alaska State Troopers or the Wasilla or Palmer Police Department. If you feel an officer failed to follow through on a report, treated you unfairly, or acted unprofessionally, you can file a formal complaint with the agency they work for. This isn’t the same as making a new police report. It’s a document that tells their supervisors what happened and why you believe the officer’s actions, or inaction, failed justice.

If your concern is about a prosecutor, such as an Assistant District Attorney, the process is different. Prosecutors work for the Alaska Department of Law. While they have the authority to decide which cases move forward, they also have an ethical duty to seek justice and treat victims with respect. If you believe a prosecutor acted wrongly, you can contact their supervising attorney in the District Attorney’s Office or file a complaint with the Office of Special Prosecutions. The Alaska Bar Association also accepts complaints about lawyers, including prosecutors, who may have violated professional rules.

Filing a complaint will not automatically reopen a case, but it can lead to an investigation into the conduct of the person involved. If misconduct is found, it could lead to discipline, retraining, or even removal from a position. More importantly, complaints help shape future policies. They put pressure on agencies to improve training, set better priorities, and make sure no one person’s lack of diligence harms public trust.

It is also important to consider why cases are sometimes not pursued, even if crimes clearly happened. Caseloads in Alaska remain high, and in the Mat-Su Borough, the population has outpaced the growth of the justice system. Prosecutors may decide not to take certain cases because they believe they cannot meet the legal standard of proof, or because they prioritize other cases, such as those involving serious violence. While this reality can be frustrating, it is different from an officer or prosecutor failing to do their job. Your complaint process should focus on conduct, not just on decisions you disagree with.

For more information, you can visit the Alaska State Troopers’ website, the City of Wasilla or Palmer Police Department websites, or the Alaska Department of Law’s Victim Assistance section. The Alaska Bar Association’s site explains how to file a grievance against a lawyer. Legal advocacy groups in the Valley, such as the Mat-Su Valley Victim Services, can guide you through the process and make sure people hear your voice.

In the end, accountability is not about punishment: it’s about making sure the system works for everyone. Your willingness to speak up helps protect the integrity of our justice system, especially for others who cannot speak up. If you believe that misconduct stood between you and justice, taking action is a service to your entire community.

Christian M. Hartley is a 40-year Alaskan resident with over 25 years of public safety experience and public service. He runs a freelance business, Big Lake Writer, from home in Big Lake that he shares with his wife of 19 years and their three teenage sons.