Performance Details
Department of Public Safety
Mission
The mission of the Department of Public Safety is to ensure public safety and enforce fish and wildlife laws. AS 44.41.020
Core Services
- Law Enforcement Patrol & Investigations
- Rural Law Enforcement
- Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Programs
- Statewide Public Safety Programs
- Resource Protection
- Highway Safety
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Core Services | ||||||||||||||
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ResultsPerformance Detail
| A: Result - Department Result |
| A1: Core Service - Law Enforcement Patrol & Investigations |
Target #1: 35% of property crimes reported result in the identification of a suspect or offender
Percentage of Property Crimes Investigated and Closed with the Identification of a Suspect or Offender
Analysis of results and challenges: This metric provides the Alaska State Troopers the measuring point to evaluate the quality of its initial response to an investigation of property crimes, with the end result an enhanced ability to identify suspects or offenders. AST reports the number of property crimes within their primary jurisdiction. Property crimes include offenses such as burglary, theft, and criminal mischief. These data include attempted and unfounded burglaries, since they often require the same amount of investigative time to reach an appropriate conclusion. This metric was initially developed in FY2009 and modified in FY2014 to include theft and criminal mischief offenses to better reflect the results of ASTs efforts. The target is based on a review of the data over the last ten years. Calendar year information is reported to allow for greater accuracy in the data collected due to incident closure time frames. Related links:
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Target #2: 100% homicide solve rate
Percentage of Homicides Solved by Alaska State Troopers
Analysis of results and challenges: Numbers represent homicides in Alaska State Trooper (AST) jurisdiction as well as homicides outside AST jurisdiction where AST has assumed investigative responsibility. Unsolved homicide investigations are on-going and are often closed long after the incident, depending on a wide variety of circumstances. Related links:
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| A2: Core Service - Rural Law Enforcement |
| A3: Core Service - Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Programs |
Target #1: As a result of contact with a victim service program, 80% of participants know more ways to plan for their safety
Percentage of Victim Service Participants Indicating Positive Program Impact
Analysis of results and challenges: Data for this measure are gathered through confidential surveys completed by program participants when they exit program services. Research has demonstrated that increasing victims' knowledge of safety planning and community resources leads to increased safety and well-being over time. Alaska is participating in a national outcome measures project that uses this measure to monitor reduced violence and increased quality of life for victims over time. Related links:
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Target #2: 100% of sex offender registrations are available online
Percentage of Sex Offender Registrations Available On-line
Analysis of results and challenges: In nearly every case in which an offender moves into Alaska from another state, additional information must be obtained in order to determine the comparable Alaska statute for registration requirements. Program analysis and development has resulted in the more efficient completion of research required to ensure accurate information on the Sex Offender Registration website, and has reduced the number of offenders' convictions requiring research prior to posting on the website. The target goal of 100% has not been met, however as policies and procedures are refined, the Sex Offender and Child Kidnapper Registration Office is becoming more proficient at obtaining required documentation and more efficient in completing registration requirement analysis on new registrants. Related links:
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| A4: Core Service - Statewide Public Safety Programs |
Target #1: Reduce unintentional fire fatalities (non-homicide) to less than 13 annual fatalities
Number of Fatal Fires with DF&LS Authority vs Number of Fatal Fires with No DF&LS Authority
Analysis of results and challenges: There has been an increase in fire fatalities. Compared to 2015, the number of fire fatalities went from 17 to 18, with one fire fatality under the division’s statutory authority in 2016. In 2016, 17 fire fatalities occurred in buildings where the division has no statutory authority for plan reviews and fire inspections. There were 15 fire fatalities that occurred in structures. 14 of the 15 fatalities occurred in one or two-family dwellings and one occurred in a multi-residential structure. The division continues to have limited success of reducing unintentional fire fatalities (non-homicide) to less than 13 annual fatalities due to the lack of residential building code and inspection authority, and little direct access to family residences. The division enjoys significant success in all other occupancy types where it is empowered to act. Smoke alarms failed to work or were not installed in 20% of the residences where fire fatalities occurred. Alcohol or drug-use related fire fatalities increased to 60% in 2016. Fire and Life Safety data are reported on a calendar year basis. Visit http://dps.alaska.gov/fire/alaskafirestatistics.aspx for annual reports and more information. Related links:
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Target #2: State and national criminal justice information is released to authorized entities within 10 working days of receipt of the request
Average Number of Days to Disseminate Criminal History Information by Criminal Records and Identification
Analysis of results and challenges: Through a significant re-engineering process, an additional fingerprint expert, temporary staffing reallocation, and intense staff effort, the Records and Identification Bureau (Bureau) remarkably improved processing time in FY2010. The Bureau was able to maintain this substantially reduced turnaround time in FY2011 and FY2012, and will continue to assess processes and procedures to further reduce the time it takes to process a background check for employment or licensing purposes. However, in FY2014, significant staffing changes occurred, resulting in a significant increase in the time it took to process fingerprints. FY2017’s turnaround time was severely impacted by staffing shortages in both the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) Section and the Records Section. Staffing resources in the Records Section were readjusted in the latter part of FY2017, and a third ABIS Operator (now called Fingerprint Technician II) was hired in the third quarter of FY2017. This uptick in processing time should be an anomaly that will be greatly reduced in FY2018. Related links:
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Target #3: 30% of all buildings scheduled for priority fire and life safety building inspections to be found in compliance at time of inspection
Percentage of Buildings in Compliance with Legal Standards According to Inspections
Analysis of results and challenges: The number of fire inspections decreased in FY2017. Deputy Fire Marshals (DFMs) conducted 223 of the 1,350 fire inspections. The decrease in number of inspections from FY2016 was due to vacancies in two DFM I positions and a reduction in the travel budget. The lack of recruitment incentives and training benefits, coupled with competing job opportunities, causes difficulties in the retention of fully trained staff and this contributes to the division not being able to meet the target goal of 30%. The TransAlaska Pipeline Fire Safety Specialist conducted 1,127 fire inspections. This position is funded through a Reimbursable Service Agreement (RSA) with the Department of Natural Resources, Joint Pipeline Office. Prioritization of commercial building inspections continues to be based upon those occupancies that are at greatest risk of fire-related injuries, fatalities, property loss, and community impact. The division is striving to increase owner/occupant hazard awareness so a greater number of buildings will be found in compliance with legal standards at the time of inspection. When an inspection generates an Order to Correct Deficiencies, each deficiency must be rectified as mandated by the Alaska Supreme Court in Adams vs. the State of Alaska. There were 1,017 follow up communication actions in support of the 1,005 fire inspections that were not in compliance in FY2017. This is the fifth year that the division completed fire inspections in all oil and gas processing facilities for regulated and unregulated pipelines throughout the state. Again this year, we had one unintended fire fatality in a facility in which we had previously conducted a fire inspection. Related links:
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Target #4: 90% of requests for laboratory service with a turnaround time less than 30 days
Percentage of State Crime Laboratory Service Requests Accomplished in Less than 30 Days
Analysis of results and challenges: Total requests do not include toxicology (outsourced), DNA database samples (reported under its own metric), or proficiency/training requests (internal requests necessary for the operation of the laboratory). Turnaround time is calculated as the time when a request for service is created until a scientific examination report is issued. 98% of Controlled Substance and Blood Alcohol Requests (46% of all requests for service) were completed in under 30 days, with an average turnaround time of 10 days, and as such, exceed the performance metric. Firearms, Latent Prints, and Forensic Biology have all experienced staffing shortages with long unsuccessful recruitments for experienced analysts. Vacancies were eventually filled with entry level analysts, but these disciplines have long training programs (exceeding one year) and there is a net loss of productivity as experienced analysts divide their time between training new analysts and analysis of evidence. Related links:
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Target #5: Less than 5% of unworked requests for laboratory service are over 120 days old
Percentage of State Crime Laboratory Service Requests Over 120 Days Old
Analysis of results and challenges: The target goal of less than 5% of unworked requests for laboratory service over 120 days old was not met. The reduction/elimination of backlogged requests for service continue to be a high priority. Of the requests received, 25% of Latent Print requests (166 of 672) had a turnaround time greater than 120 days. The Latent Print discipline has experienced vacancies. The vacancies have recently been filled with entry level analysts, and once their training is completed, turnaround time should improve. 8% of Forensic Biology requests (biological screening, DNA) exceeded 120 days. The Forensic Biology discipline is looking to implement new analytical work flows (anticipated implementation January 2018) as part of their continuing efforts to streamline analysis. . Related links:
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| A5: Core Service - Resource Protection |
Target #1: Reduce recreational boating accident deaths to fewer than 14 annual fatalities
Analysis of results and challenges: Fatalities from recreational boating accidents nearly doubled in calendar year 2016. The target of less than 14 recreational boating deaths was exceeded. The number of deaths is similar to that experience between 2007 through 2013. Alaska Wildlife Troopers (AWT) are working to increase boating safety education and checking for compliance with law and regulation, including personal flotation device possession and use -- especially education among adults, as adult deaths continue to make up the majority of fatalities. AWT conducted several targeted boating safety patrols during the past year in conjunction with advertised national campaigns and on historically busy weekends. Troopers investigate recreational boating accidents, injuries, and fatalities in state waters. Related links:
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Target #2: Wildlife violations detected less than 5% of total resource user contacts
Percentage of Wildlife Violations Detected per User Contacts by Alaska Wildlife Troopers
Analysis of results and challenges: The number of resource users contacted by Alaska Wildlife Troopers (AWT) decreased significantly during the past year. Wildlife violations detected increased slightly as a percentage of total contacts over the previous year; however the amount was less than one percent. The decrease in resource user contacts is a result of restricted operations of AWT personnel, as well as a shift in operations to times and areas where risk to natural resources perceived to be the greatest. These numbers do not include citations written by wildlife troopers for non-natural resource law violations, such as those generated for traffic enforcement or other general law enforcement duties. The wildlife troopers averaged seven vacancies throughout the year. In addition to the vacancies, budget reductions forced AWT positions to be eliminated. In the last three years, AWT has eliminated eight Trooper positions, and seven non-commissioned positions which support operations, resulting in less coverage statewide. AWT is attempting to focus efforts where concerns for populations of wild stocks of fish and game are high, but the opportunity to contact the general public engaged in hunting and fishing activity are often reduced. Targeting 95% compliance is a reasonable goal. Less than 95% compliance indicates a need to reevaluate enforcement presence and education efforts. A loss of commissioned personnel meant fewer hours were available to spend on education. AWT prefers to change this performance goal as it does not accurately reflect AWT performance or the number of violations discovered by AWT. In addition, there are a number of inconsistencies in reporting for this target which fail to truly reflect resource user contacts and violations discovered. As an example, the column indicating the number of violations detected has historically been reported solely for citations issued. It does not account for violations for which the person was warned which frequently occurs when a Trooper contacts a person and discovers multiple violations. A more accurate measure of the percentage of violations per contact would be to report the total of citations and warnings per contact. A review of historical data reflects a consistent violation rate of between 10 to 13 percent. AWT would welcome a discussion on a more appropriate measure of effectiveness. Related links:
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| A6: Core Service - Highway Safety |
Target #1: 10% reduction from the previous three-year average of deaths as a result of motor vehicle accidents (MVA)
Number of Fatalities from Motor Vehicle Accidents
Analysis of results and challenges: This target reflects one measure of the overall safety of vehicular traffic. In addition to enforcement of traffic regulations and laws, the department is actively involved in media campaigns to raise public awareness of highway safety issues. The Alaska Bureau of Highway Patrol (ABHP) was reduced to three Troopers during 2015 and they are primarily working on the Seward Highway. Calendar year 2016 saw a high number of fatal crashes in low traffic areas of the state that are not connected to the state road system. Many of the other variables affecting the motor vehicle crash rate, such as road design, weather conditions, vehicle age and mechanical condition, etc., are not within the department's control. Beginning in 2007, this table shows motor vehicle crashes within the Alaska State Troopers' patrol area. Statewide data from the Alaska Highway Safety Office were reported in prior years. These data are reported on a calendar-year basis. Calendar year information is reported to allow for greater accuracy in the data collected due to incident closure time frames. Related links:
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Target #2: 10% reduction from the previous three-year average of driving under the influence (DUI) fatalities
Motor Vehicle Crashes with Fatalities involving Impaired Drivers
Analysis of results and challenges: The department receives Alaska Highway Safety Office funding to support some specialized High Visibility DUI enforcement through the Alaska Bureau of Highway Patrol. Targeted enforcement at special events like the Palmer State Fair and other events have been highly effective at removing impaired drivers from the road. However, the number and severity of accidents involve many other factors which are often outside the control or influence of police agencies. Some of the accidents in 2016 were on low traffic areas that are not connected to the state road system. Beginning in CY2007, this table shows motor vehicle crashes within the Alaska State Troopers' patrol area. Statewide data from the Alaska Highway Safety Office (DOT/PF) were reported in prior years. These data are reported on a calendar-year basis. Calendar year information is reported to allow for greater accuracy in the data collected due to incident closure time frames. In 2017 it was discovered that the grid used in previous budget submissions contained only the number for crashes that included an impaired driver when that person was charged with DUI. This year the grid was updated to include where drivers were impaired but not charged. An example would be where a single vehicle crash occurred and the driver was found to be impaired. We believe that the grid above more accurately shows the connection between impairment and fatal crashes. Related links:
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Current as of December 1, 2017