JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
6255 ALAWAY AVENUE JUNEAU, ALASKA 99801
Business (907) 586-0600
Fax (907) 463-4808
Integrity, Courage, Service, Respect
INFORMATION RELEASE
Date: 2017-01-06
From: Lietenant David Campbell
Case or Incident: #161203-007
*****Officer Involved Shooting Update 161203-007 *****
On January 5th, 2017, the Juneau Police Department received a report from the State of Alaska Department of Law, Office of Special Prosecution with their conclusions as to the justification of Sergeant Gifford?s use of force on December 3rd, 2016. In essence, Assistant Attorney General June Stein with the Office of Special Prosecution determined that Sergeant Chris Gifford was justified when he shot one round at Jeremie Tinney on December 3rd, 2016. The first two paragraphs of the nine page report reads as follows:
?This letter summarizes my review of the use of deadly force by Juneau Police Sergeant Christopher Gifford against Jeremie Shaun Tinney on December 3, 2016. The investigation revealed that Sgt. Gifford fired one bullet, after being threatened with what he believed to be a firearm. Tinney was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and was released from the hospital.
For the reasons explained below, I have concluded that Sgt. Gifford was legally justified in using deadly force. It is clear from the investigation that Tinney threatened the sergeant and others at the scene, and Sgt. Gifford fired his weapon, reasonably believing that he was acting in self-defense and defense of others. Criminal charges are inappropriate.?
The nine page redacted report is available on the JPD website at
http://www.juneaupolice.com/pdfs/2017/161203-007_Special_Prosecution_Declination_Letter_redacted.pdf
The criminal case against Tinney is still under investigation.
All factual allegations contained in this release are based upon preliminary investigation and are subject to change or clarification as the investigation continues. Any charges reported in this release are merely accusations and all persons named in this release are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.