DPS Commissioner denies special commission to Chickaloon Tribal Police for now

On May 2, 2024, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Commissioner James Cockrell released a statement in response the Chickaloon Tribal Police Department (CTPD) request for a Special Commission

“After receiving hundreds of comments from across the Matanuska Susitna Valley, I have decided to not move forward with issuing special commissions to the Chickaloon Tribal Police Department,” he said in a press release.

“It is encouraging to know that the communities’ voice is being heard on the state level, I hope that it will be heard at the federal level also concerning the prospect of them having federal authority over a much larger area that is only 30% native,” said Sutton Community Council member Chris Spitzer.

Meanwhile, the Chickaloon Village Tribal Council released a statement expressing disappointment in the decision but remains committed to its dedication to public safety and will continue enforcing Tribal laws.

“Their (the DPS) decision does not impact the inherent criminal justice authority held by Tribal governments.”

Last month, the DPS held an information session to explain what a DPS Special Commission is and the role is plays in law enforcement, with DPS Communications Director Austin McDaniel telling attendees:

“It is authority that the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety can give to a qualified person that has law enforcement training to aid and assist Alaska State Troopers.” He then clarified that a special commission is given only to someone who has met the qualifications and the DPS is confident will aid the AST in completing their mission.

Spitzer says he hopes this decision will lead to continued examination into the special commission process, saying, “I also hope that these developments will promote a more thorough evaluation of this type of agreement with sovereign entities off of their own property.”

With a current shortage of law enforcement not only across the state, but also in the Matanuska Susitna Borough, Anthony says the CTPD will continue to assist as it can with ensuring public safety.

“CTPD pledges to maintain its collaborative efforts with the Alaska State Troopers, local police departments, and the public to strive for public safety in all our communities.”

The decision comes after months of tensions between the CTPD and residents who have been unhappy with the requests, voicing concerns and sometimes anger at the CTPD’s desire to extend limited policing powers outside of their tribal properties and law enforcement authority.

The issue has long been the source of tension, first addressed nearly two years ago at an information session when the CTPD first sought to expand its police force and their responsibilities, and again during a Sutton Community Council meeting in March amid confusion and tension came about during the public comment period when attendees asked about the CTPD having authority over non-Native residents, and specifically the idea of having non-Natives tried in a Tribal judicial setting. While tempers flared as voices from the council and audience spoke over each other as different scenarios were presented, old pains resurfaced of the federal boundaries being drawn and the long history unreported or uninvestigated violent crimes came up until Representative Mike Shower implored for calm as solutions are being sought.

“I’m watching this, I’m watching the comments, I’m watching the body language, watching facial expressions, and what is clear is that in the community, there is a lot of angst. There’s a lot of mistrust. There’s a lot of concern about how far this goes. That’s the reality,” said Representative Shower, trying to diffuse the tensions.

Commissioner Cockrell said that his team had received a significant amount of feedback from community members, most of which demonstrated a need for continued community consultation and relationship building, highlighting a lack of trust from the community.

“Without public trust, policing in any community would be nearly impossible.” Cockrell says that DPS will continue to work with tribes across the state to improve public safety outcomes for Alaska Natives.