The Alaska State Ombudsman has concluded the investigation of a citizen complaint about how the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, within the Department of Natural Resources, investigated a crime reported on state park lands. The Ombudsman found that, while the park ranger had investigated the crime according to the training and direction given by the Division, that did not align with the express law enforcement policy adopted by the agency. The Ombudsman recommended that the Division update the law enforcement policy to better reflect the demands and expectations of park rangers as peace officers.
Read the press release.