City and Borough of Juneau Releases Body-Worn Camera Footage from July 30 Arrest Incident; Probationary Officer Resigned

Press Release: City and Borough of Juneau Releases Body-Worn Camera Footage from July 30 Arrest Incident; Probationary Officer Resigned

August 29, 2025, Juneau, Alaska –Today, the City and Borough of Juneau released body-worn camera footage and related materials from the July 30, 2025 incident in which a Juneau Police Department (JPD) officer used force during an arrest that resulted in a serious head injury to the arrested individual.  The officer, who was in his probationary period, resigned on August 28, 2025.

This release is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability and in accordance with CBJ Code, Ordinance 2025-05(c)(am). In addition to the body-worn video, the City has published dashboard camera footage and applicable policies. All materials are available online at below and at bit.ly/jpd-incident-july30.

City Manager Katie Koester stated, “This has been a painful event for our community. The officer’s resignation reflects the seriousness of what occurred, and our obligation to uphold the standards of conduct our community expects. Accountability means not only reviewing the facts but acting on them. I want to be clear: the Juneau Police Department is full of good and hardworking people who serve with professionalism, empathy and integrity. One incident does not define the department. We’re committed to using this moment to strengthen relationships and to listen and learn from all impacted voices.”

She added, “Chief Bos has been in contact with the family of the individual who was injured and we are keeping them in our thoughts. Out of respect for their privacy, we will defer any questions regarding his condition or legal matters to the family.”

The officer was placed on administrative leave following the incident. JPD immediately requested an investigation of the incident by an independent third party. That investigation is ongoing.

JPD Chief of Police Derek Bos stated, “What happened on July 30 was not consistent with department policy, values or the conduct we expect from our officers. As Chief, I take responsibility for ensuring our department earns and maintains the public’s trust. We have already begun reviewing JPD directives, implementing policy clarifications as well as additional training focused on de-escalation, proportionality in use-of-force, and medical response protocols.”

As part of the City’s commitment to long-term healing and improved relationships, the Juneau Police Department will also participate in cultural sensitivity training. This training is designed to deepen officers’ understanding of Indigenous history, values, and lived experiences in Juneau, and to reinforce the department’s role as a respectful and responsive community partner.

“This training is not a checkbox. It’s a step toward meaningful connection,” said City Manager Katie Koester.

In addition, Tlingit & Haida has offered to co-host a community dialogue with the City to create space for open and respectful conversations about the community’s relationship with law enforcement. The event will be designed to elevate voices, share perspectives, and chart a path forward rooted in trust, accountability, and shared values.

“We need to approach the dialogue in a thoughtful manner and recognize that it will be difficult for many in our community who have experienced trauma. We’re grateful to Tlingit & Haida for their leadership and willingness to engage with us on this important work,” said Manager Koester. Details about the training and dialogue event will be shared in the coming weeks.

For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

 

VIDEOS: Body Worn and Dashboard Camera Footage from the July 30 Incident

WARNING: Video content and language may not be suitable for all viewers. Please exercise caution before viewing.*  

The community is encouraged to seek the support services available through local resources at www.juneaumentalhealth.org/services.

 

*Please be aware that YouTube guidelines for sensitive content may mean some users encounter difficulty playing the video if their user account or network has content restrictions enabled.

 

Relevant Current JPD Regulations & Policies

JPD follows the DPS Academy training curriculum for Arrest Control Tactics:

August 29th, 2025|

City & Borough of Juneau and Tlingit & Haida issue coordinated disaster declarations ahead of 2025 glacial lake outburst

CBJ and Tlingit and Haida Logos

 

 

JOINT PRESS RELEASE
August 8, 2025

City & Borough of Juneau and Tlingit & Haida Issue Coordinated Disaster Declarations ahead of 2025 Glacial Lake Outburst

 

Juneau, Alaska – Today, the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) and the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida) issued coordinated emergency disaster declarations in anticipation of a potentially imminent and record level glacial lake outburst flood, or jökulhlaup, from Suicide Basin/Kʼóox Ḵaadí Basin above the Mendenhall Glacier.

The decision to issue declarations prior to an actual flood event is a proactive measure aimed at protecting life, property, and critical infrastructure in the Mendenhall Valley. Hydrologic monitoring confirms the volume of water currently impounded in the Basin has the potential to meet or exceed thresholds associated with historic flooding. CBJ and Tlingit & Haida are confident in the HESCO barrier flood mitigation system recently installed along the Mendenhall River, officials are emphasizing that no chances will be taken when it comes to public safety and emergency preparedness.

“Tlingit & Haida’s first priority is always the safety and well-being of our people and our community,” said Tlingit & Haida 1st Vice President Jackie Pata. “We know the trauma and hardship last year’s flood brought to Juneau. By taking this proactive step together under a unified command, we are making sure every tool is in place before the water rises. Our shared commitment is to protect lives, safeguard homes, and stand united in readiness for whatever comes.”

The proactive emergency declarations enable the mobilization of resources ahead of time, rather than after flooding begins. Based on current monitoring data from the National Weather Service, the volume of water impounded in Suicide Basin/Kʼóox Ḵaadí Basin has already reached historic thresholds known to cause major flooding along the Mendenhall River.

“This year is different. We’re not just responding—we’re ready,” said CBJ City Manager Katie Koester. “The HESCO barriers are in place, and we believe they will perform as designed, but our job is to plan for every scenario—especially in the face of what could be another historic flood event. This proactive emergency declaration gives us the tools to act swiftly and decisively.”

In August 2024, an unprecedented flood from Suicide Basin overwhelmed homes and infrastructure—some well outside mapped flood zones. It triggered hazardous spills, emergency evacuations, and a major state and federal disaster response. That experience, officials say, shaped this year’s aggressive and coordinated preparation.

The coordinated declarations allow for:

  • Pre-positioning of emergency response equipment and personnel
  • Activation of expedited permitting for emergency riverbank work
  • Enhanced interagency coordination and public alerts
  • Requests for continued state and federal assistance and funding
  • Implementation of any necessary emergency protective orders

The declarations are effective immediately and will remain in place for 180 days. The CBJ Assembly and Tlingit & Haida Executive Council will ratify each government’s respective declarations.

The incident Unified Command from CBJ and Tlingit & Haida urges residents in vulnerable areas to stay informed through official channels and to prepare for possible evacuation orders. Updated flood risk maps are available at JuneauFlood.com and emergency preparedness resources are available on the CBJ website at bit.ly/JuneauFloodReady. For questions on how to prepare for a potential flood, please contact [email protected].

 

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For media inquiries, please contact

August 8th, 2025|

Statement from City Manager Katie Koester

August 1, 2025

Good afternoon,

On July 30th Juneau Police Department officers responded to an altercation in which a woman was observed harassing and making racial slurs at a man waiting for the bus in front of the Douglas Library. Officers responded and arrested the female. Another party entered the altercation and was arrested using a technique designed to control the situation by bringing the suspect to the ground. However, this action went terribly wrong and resulted in the suspect hitting his head on the concrete sidewalk, requiring medical attention and transport out of Juneau. CBJ does not have information on his current medical status, nor do we have permission from the family to share that information.  Our heartfelt thoughts are with him and his family during this traumatic and difficult experience.

In response to these events, the arresting officer was placed on administrative leave. JPD has requested an independent investigation by an external agency that will review the use and level of force deployed in this incident. Following the investigation, the State of Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions will review the case. In addition, we are conducting an internal investigation that will consider the technique and level of force used and if it was aligned with JPD policy. Body camera footage will be reviewed as part of this investigation and will be made available to the public within 30 days of the incident, or no later than August 30.

CBJ understands the deep community concern over this tragic injury. We recognize that the incident and associated video footage may be deeply upsetting, confusing, and overwhelming and encourage residents to utilize the support services available through local resources (www.juneaumentalhealth.org/services).

We appreciate our community’s outreach and shared concerns, and are taking steps to review our own policies, procedures, and practices to ensure they are consistent with JPD values to preserve human life while meeting its mission to protect public safety.

Respectfully,
Katie Koester, City Manager
City & Borough of Juneau

August 1st, 2025|

Marine Passenger Fee recommendations open for public comment through May 7

The public has until May 7 to comment on the City Manager’s recommendations for how to allocate cruise ship Marine Passenger Fee (MPF) proceeds in the upcoming year. Read the draft proposal on the MPF website.

The draft proposal makes recommendations on expenditure of funds that come from the $5 City and Borough of Juneau Marine Passenger Fee, $3 CBJ Port Development Fee, and the $5 State of Alaska Commercial Passenger Vessel Fee. For budgeting purposes, CBJ has estimated that about 1.65 million passengers will come to Juneau this year. Based on that projection, the amount of revenue in fiscal year 2026 is anticipated to be roughly $21.5 million.

In December, CBJ solicited project proposals from city departments and the public, including businesses and the visitor industry, to be funded with MPF proceeds. The Visitor Industry Director is recommending 29 operating, grant and capital funding allocations. They include:

  • Covered bus stop on Mendenhall Loop Road
  • Dock safety cameras on the downtown seawalk
  • Pulse Point emergency responder app
  • Improvements to Marine Park
  • Funding for shore power
  • Water and wastewater system upgrades

Submit comments on the recommendations by Wednesday, May 7, 2025 to CBJ Visitor Industry Director Alexandra Pierce by email to [email protected] or by mail to the City Manager’s Office, attn: Alexandra Pierce, 155 S. Seward Street, Juneau, Alaska 99801.

All Marine Passenger Fee project proposals and comments will be forwarded along with the City Manager’s recommendation list to the Assembly Finance Committee for review, and then to the Assembly for consideration during the upcoming budget cycle.

For more information, contact CBJ Visitor Industry Director Alexandra Pierce at [email protected] or visit the Marine Passenger Fee Program website.

 

April 7th, 2025|

Public can submit proposals for Marine Passenger Fee proceeds starting December 2

The City and Borough of Juneau will accept public proposals for projects to be funded with 2025 Marine Passenger Fee proceeds from December 2, 2024 through January 2, 2025. This annual process ensures that all members of the community can have a say in how fees from the cruise ship industry are reinvested in local business and services.

This year, all submissions may be made via a webform that provides more information about the restricted nature of these funds and aims to encourage more successful submissions.

The Marine Passenger Fee, a $5 fee per cruise ship passenger, was established in 1999 by Juneau voters. The fees are designated to fund projects directly related to the visitor industry that enhance the tourism experience in Juneau and offset community impacts created by the cruise ship industry.

The public, including businesses and the visitor industry, are encouraged to submit project proposals to be funded with MPF proceeds. Projects must address an impact made on the community by the cruise ship industry or an aspect of the tourism experience for cruise ship passengers. For a full description of project eligibility, please see CBJ 69.20.120.

The City Manager will develop a draft recommendation list of projects to be funded by Marine Passenger Fee proceeds, followed by a 30-day public comment period. The draft recommendation and all proposals will available at the Marine Passenger Fee Program website.

All Marine Passenger Fee project proposals and comments will be forwarded along with the City Manager’s recommendation list to the Assembly Finance Committee for review, and then to the Assembly for consideration during the upcoming budget cycle.

Proposals must be submitted by January 2, 2025 on the webform or the City Manager’s Office, attention Alexandra Pierce, 155 S. Seward Street, Juneau, Alaska 99801.

For more information, contact CBJ Visitor Industry Director Alexandra Pierce at [email protected] or visit the Marine Passenger Fee Program webpage.

December 2nd, 2024|
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