Sexual Assault by Police in Anchorage

Officer Dave Parker of the Anchorage Police Department called me back today to inform me that one statement that he gave yesterday was incorrect.  He explained when I returned his call that the attorney for Sarah Palin who asked the Anchorage Police Department to issue a press release to the National Enquirer,  was not in fact Thomas Van Flein, as Officer Parker had reported yesterday.  It was another attorney from Van Flein’s  firm, John Timessen.  I posted a clarification on this blog right after that call.

What I didn’t know was that Officer Parker, and Police Chief Mew, were having a really busy day.  Today was the day that Officer Rollins of the Anchorage Police Department was led out of court in handcuffs, having been convicted of four counts of rape which occurred while Officer Rollins was on duty and in uniform.

Police Chief Mew said:

“The good news about the APD is we do something about it,…A good and honest department is one that investigates itself.”

Like Rollins, other police employees have been caught in the past having sex on duty, Mew said, but unlike Rollins none of them were found to have committed crimes.  Whew!  What a relief to know that the other Anchorage police officers were having consensual sex while on the job, instead of committing rape.  What a relief to know that some of those having sex on the job didn’t lose their jobs.  With unemployment at a record high, the loss of a job in Alaska could present serious difficulties. After all having sex on the job only incapacitates a police officer temporarily and then he is able to return to full capacity to protect and defend.  Rollins was also convicted of “criminal use of a computer.”  I wonder if it was the same computer confiscated from Shailey Tripp?

A spokesperson from the Anchorage Police department said:

“By no means are police employees perfect … but when we make mistakes, we’re held accountable,”

I am sure that as soon as Chief Mew and Officer Parker get a chance they will investigate the Anchorage Police Department with regard to the Shailey Tripp arrest, the evidence seized but not examined, and the press release the police sent to the National Enquirer, based upon the request of Sarah Palin’s attorney.  Given the challenges faced by Chief Mew and Officer Parker of having to investigate the many examples of sex on the job, I now understand why they didn’t have time to investigate something so trivial as prostitution charges against a woman being paid for sex as compared to women who were raped by police officers.

After all Police Chief Mew has gone on record as saying that the Anchorage Police Department’s Mission is to

“…protect and serve our community in the most professional and compassionate manner possible.  I am proud to lead the men and women of the Anchorage Police Department who not only take pride in our mission and the community we serve, but strive to continually improve the quality of life for the citizens.  After all, the public has justifiable expectations that the police should make citizens feel secure in their community.”

I wonder if the women of Anchorage are feeling safe and secure tonight?  I wonder if the male officers in the Anchorage Police Department have learned their lesson?  Maybe they should teach all new recruits the motto:  “Only Consensual Sex While On the Job.”  Maybe they should teach the new officers in the evidence department the motto:  “Only examine evidence that Sarah Palin, or her attorney, tell you to examine.”

Lt. Dave Parker and Chief Mew have had a really bad week.  Given the problems facing the Anchorage Police Department this week, issuing a retraction to the National Enquirer is certainly not at the top of their list.