PSL confronts LaFrance. Screen capture courtesy of Murat Demir.
The Party for Socialism and Liberation Anchorage — or PSL Anchorage — submitted a proposal for a complaint review board against the Anchorage Police Department to the Office of the Municipal Clerk on May 1.
The proposal that called for an independent review board for APD was titled “The Civilian Police Review Board and the Office of the Inspector General for the Anchorage Police Department.”
According to the document, the initiative seeks to present a ballot proposition to voters to create the civilian review board.
The document states, “This initiative application is the result of 5 years of collaboration with community members, subject matter experts, and families.”
The document cited the Trump administration’s rise in law enforcement and seven civilians shot and killed from 2024 to 2025 by APD as a motive for the municipality to create an independent review board.
The proposal described the board’s duties as receiving, initiating, investigating and resolving complaints of misconduct filed against members of APD.
After the conclusion of an investigation, the board will give recommendations to the Anchorage Chief of Police for a resolution and possible disciplinary action.
The document listed the board’s power as having the authority to request witnesses, documents, photos and other evidence related to investigations.
With the assembly’s approval, the board could request a subpoena to compel the witness attendance or the production of evidence related to investigations.
The end of the document explained the proposal for introducing an Office of the Inspector General, or OIG, for APD.
The office would consist of an inspector general, one or more investigators, administrative staff and the board.
The inspector general would be appointed by a two-third vote of the board and approved by the mayor.
According to the document, OIG would be independent from APD, and the board would provide guidance to the inspector general as they serve under the organization.
The Northern Light wrote to PSL Anchorage’s spokesperson Michael Patterson for comment on the proposal.
Patterson wrote that PSL needed a primary and an alternate sponsor, which they found within their organization and 10 qualified voters to sign the initiative application. The application would then be sent to the municipal clerk and attorney.
If approved by the municipal clerk, PSL would be issued a petition master form that requires a minimum of 7,225 signatures from Anchorage voters within 90 days, wrote Patterson.
He wrote that if the petition were to receive all 7,225 signatures and the clerk certified the petition, the proposal would go to the ballot.
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