Can We Trust Law Enforcement After the Alaska Child Sexual Abuse Story?
How can the public trust law enforcement when some become the perpetrators they are all supposed to protect us from? In Alaska, it seems like sexual abuse by State Troopers and law enforcement is still alive and well.
Not too long ago, a Department of Homeland Security law enforcement officer Bert Christopher Heitstuman was “accused of sexually assaulting three women over a six-year period between 2012 and 2018. The case of Alaskan State Trooper Benjamin Strachan is a much more recent case, and involves sexual abuse of a minor.
This case is a sad illustration that law enforcement in Alaska continues to horribly abuse its power. Furthermore, such instances raise concerns similar to those in DCF parental alienation cases, where the power dynamics are critically questioned.
Child Sexual Abuse Story in Alaska
In Soldotna, Alaska, a State Trooper, 39-year-old Benjamin Strachan, is facing child sexual abuse allegations of a minor. Investigators from Anchorage, the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and Soldotna think that Strachan sexually abused multiple minors, in addition to the one who came forward, within the last year. The director of the Alaska State Troopers, said that at this point, authorities cannot disclose how many victims they have identified so far.
They also cannot disclose how Strachan came into contact with them in the first place. Strachan is facing one count of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor, and six counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor. Strachan had been working as a State Trooper in Soldotna since June of 2020. The sexual abuse allegation arose on October 9th. Authorities took Strachan to jail on Wednesday, October 13th. As of right now, Strachan is on administrative leave until the end of the case.
Before joining the troopers, Strachan did not have previous law enforcement experience. What is scary is that no one had suspicions of sexually abusive behavior when Strachan was in the hiring process. Even though the background check and hiring process for Alaska State Troopers is extensive, no one noticed any concerning signs in Strachan.
FIND THE WHOLE STORY HERE: https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2021/10/13/live-authorities-announce-arrest-soldotna-trooper/
How Big of an Issue is Sexual Abuse in Alaska?
The sexual assault statistics of Alaska are troubling, and Police Officers of Alaska need to address their jurisdiction’s issue and their precedent’s problem. Even when the police know about the crime, many Alaskan officers report their unwillingness to commit to responses because of the lack of state tax revenue. And, many police officers across the nation report their mistrust amongst their inner-reporting circle.
Justice is not a guarantee just because people address the crime, unfortunately. For one thing, victims of sexual crimes relive the trauma. Prosecutors may terrorize these victims, or judges may turn a blind eye to the truth. Also, it is hard to rely on judicial review of police conduct. The system is corrupt. Officers have political connections with courts.
Sometimes, police officers get a level of immunity from prosecution. Some may argue that the environment of Alaska encourages incidents where rape is likelier to happen. The frozen landscape is often cited as one reason why sexual crimes are comparatively higher; studies have demonstrated colder areas have higher rates of sexual assault.
How Should Alaska Fix This Issue?
Alaska has a lot of work to do before the public can trust the state troopers again. The Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Public Safety James Cockrell, spoke about this. He said that “the public places immense trust into its police officers and state troopers, and the actions of a single Trooper have now tarnished that trust and the badge that hundreds of brave men and women wear each day across our great state.
We are committed to moving forward and continue meeting the critical mission that the Department of Public Safety has of protecting the great citizens of our state” It could help if Alaska considers furthering programs that echo the mission of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.
Alaska should also look into hiring police officers with a proven history in Urban Policing. The great citizens of Alaska deserve a vigorous police department. One that regularly investigates its officers, pairs officers together, and employs more female officers. Understanding the parents’ rights against DCF
Kevin Seaver is a trusted Massachusetts DCF lawyer specialized in DCF law since 1991. 
You find yourself in this situation, it’s advisable to seek legal representation from a qualified attorney, like those at the Law Office of Kevin Seaver, who can advocate for your rights and guide you through the complex process of a DCF investigation.
Remember that the ultimate goal of DCF is to ensure the safety and well-being of children while supporting families in crisis.
Please note that this article does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between our law firm and the reader and is provided for informational purposes only. Information in this article does not apply to all readers.
Readers should not rely on this information as legal advice and should seek specific counsel from the attorney based on personal circumstances. Thank you.
Kevin Patrick Seaver is a Massachusetts DCF Defense Lawyer who represents parents against false child abuse allegations.
