Assembly Leadership Still Seeking Answers to “Outstanding Central Questions” About APD

The Anchorage Assembly's leadership is still seeking information from the Bronson administration about what transpired at an October 7, 2021, meeting of the Anchorage Assembly and details about a November 5, 2021, Providence 11-50 welfare check request.

On December 11, 2021, the Alaska Landmine published a series of allegations claiming that both Mayor Bronson and Municipal Manager Amy Demboski had ordered APD Chief McCoy to instruct Anchorage Police Department (APD) officers to leave the Assembly chambers at the October 7 meeting and that APD Chief Kenneth McCoy refused to do so.

The Landmine also alleged that Mayor Bronson's office had "ordered Chief McCoy to have APD officers enter Anchorage medical facilities to "rescue" a man sick with COVID and/or compel medical providers to treat the man with Ivermectin."

Yesterday, March 24, the Assembly's leadership sent a letter to Anchorage Mayor David Bronson seeking answers to at least two "outstanding central fact issues" the Assembly's leadership says his Administration has not squarely addressed, specifically:

• "During the October 7, 2021, Assembly Meeting, did you, or any member of the Administration, tell the Chief of Police to "stand down," or suggest that the Chief of Police or other APD officers should "stand down," (or do something similar to standing down) if the Chair of the Assembly requested assistance? Did you or the Municipal Manager indicate to anyone that you would tell the Chief or other APD officers to stand down (or do something similar to standing down) if the Chair requested assistance?
• Did you, or any member of the Administration ever ask, request, or direct the Chief of Police or other APD Command Staff to send APD officers to Providence Hospital to make contact with, or conduct a welfare check on a Mr. O'Barr?"

The Bronson Administration thus far has declined to respond to the various allegations published about the Anchorage Police Department and has refused to answer related questions from the media.

Included as part of a March 8 production of documents provided to the Assembly's leadership in response to their December 12, 2021, records and retention request was a November 6, 2021, email from APD Chief Kenneth McCoy containing a single line listing a date and time for what appears to be a "Providence 11-50 request," also known as a welfare check.

In yesterday's letter to Mayor Bronson, Assembly Leadership renewed their request that the Administration be transparent and forthcoming about what happened on October 7 and November 5 and answer questions about what portions of the allegations are factual.

"The public's trust in our leaders and their conduct as stewards of municipal resources is of utmost importance and we have a duty to the public to provide the truth. Taxpayers rightfully expect nothing less," the Assembly's leadership wrote in their letter to Mayor Bronson.

It's unclear whether the Bronson Administration will voluntarily provide any additional information related to the allegations involving APD. After all, it's been 11 days, and they still haven't produced a user agreement between WEKA Medical and the Municipality.

Most transparent Administration ever.