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What is the Alaska Rural Justice and Law Enforcement Commission?
Created by Congress in 2004, the Alaska Rural Justice and Law Enforcement Commission (ARJLEC) was tasked with convening work groups and hearing ideas from the people of rural Alaska to improve law enforcement, judicial responses to crime, domestic violence, child abuse and illegal alcohol. The Commission spent one year travelling to rural parts of the State of Alaska, taking testimony and enlisting the aid of many Alaskans on working groups. The Commission would like to sincerely thank all those who have provided testimony, communicated with the Commission, and served on a working group.
The Initial Report
The Initial Report of the Alaska Rural Justice and Law Enforcement Commission is available in electronic and print copies. It will soon be available in CD format as well. This Report shares over 100 recommendations created by four topic specifc work groups (law enforcement, judicial services, domestic violence and child abuse, and alcohol interdiction) compiled in nine areas for action.
Nine Areas of Recommendations for Action
(See Commission Topics for more detailed discussion)
1. Engage in more partnering and collaboration
2. Make systemic changes to improve rural law enforcement
3. Enlarge use of community based solutions
4. Broaden use of prevention approaches
5. Broader therapeutic efforts
6. Increase employment of rural residents in law enforcement
7. Build additional capacity
8. Expand use of new technologies
9. Increase access to judicial services
For a printed copy of the Initial Report of ARJLEC:
Please email kbitzer@anjc.net or jmeier@anjc.net to request a copy of the report be mailed to you. Please include your name, address and email address in your request.
Current work of the Commission
As a result of the Initial Report, the Commission identified four specific issues that they feld had the highest potential for successful change. Forming additional work groups to make action planning step recommendations in the Fall of 2006, these working groups reported their findings to the Commission members on December 1, 2006. The Commission continues to meet to refine and develop strategies for the coming legislative sessions, addressing those recommendations in the Initial Report that required legislative relief.
Current Work Group Summaries
Work Group 1 - Police Standards and Cross-Designation
This working group is charged with the development of recommendations for: a) a statewide uniform and tiered system of certification and training for VPSOs, VPOs, and other public safety personnel; and b) cross-designation of law enforcement officials by different governmental entities.
Work Group 2 - ICWA MOU
This working group is charged with recommending language for a model MOU between federal, state, and tribal entities concerning the disposition of ICWA cases in the State of Alaska.
Work Group 3 - Increased Acess - Technology and Technology-Relational
This working group is charged with the development of recommendations for increasing the use of existing technology in rural Alaska. This includes recommendations on increased collaboration between governmental and tribal entities (including governments, courts and law enforcement), and technical issues surrounding the use of internet and current med-satellite links in rural Alaska to improve law enforcement and judiciary capabilities.
Work Group 4 - Alcohol
This working group is charged with the development of recommendations regarding increased local control for alcohol and drug interdiction.