Dr. Myrstol invited to address Anchorage Police Community Relations Task Force about research in AJSAC Fact Sheets

Far right, Dr. Brad Myrstol presents data from the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Fact Sheets to
the Anchorage Community Police Relations Task Force.

Dr. Brad Myrstol, Justice faculty and director of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC), was invited to address the Anchorage Community Police Relations Task Force about research in recent issues of the AJSAC Fact Sheet. The meeting was held April 12 at the Fairview Community Center.

Dr. Myrstol  discussed data from "Violent Crimes Arrests in Alaska during 1980-2011" and "Assaults Committed Against Alaska Police Officers, 2002-2011."  The increase in violent crime arrest rates during the period was due to substantial increases in robbery and aggravated assault arrests.  Since 2002 the overall rate of assault on Alaska police officers has increased. Between 2002-2011, approximately 40 percent of all assaults on officers occurred when officers were responding to a disturbance, and the percentage is increasing.

The Anchorage Community Police Relations Task Force was established in 1981 and acts as a liaison between the ethnic minority community and the Anchorage Police Department (APD).  It provides a forum for input and constructive dialog between the ethnic minority community and APD.