SEX Crimes

Special Victims Unit

MISSION: The mission of the Anchorage Police Department Special Victims Unit (SVU) is to investigate sexual assault crimes in Anchorage through the collection and preservation of physical evidence, identification and apprehension of suspects, and assisting with criminal prosecution of sexual assault defendants. Furthermore, this unit works with other police agencies, women’s advocacy organizations, and community groups to help reduce and prevent sexual assaults through public education and dissemination of information pertaining to offender activities and methods of operations.

TYPES OF CRIMES:

SVU primarily investigates criminal cases involving sexual assault, kidnapping, assaults, and stalking. Including crimes involving child sexual assaults, physical child abuse, custodial interference, and missing/runaway children.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

The SVU is a high-volume call-out unit with a considerable workload involving emergent cases. The SVU responds to priority cases 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The unit works collaboratively with numerous outside agencies such as STAR, AST, SART, AWAIC, Alaska Cares, Department of Law, and many other local and federal law enforcement agencies.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Call 3-1-1 and report it to a patrol officer and then it will be screened by an Special Victims Unit supervisor.

    If in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

Crimes Against Children Unit

MISSION: The mission of the Anchorage Police Department Crimes Against Children Unit (CACU) is to investigate felony sexual assaults of children under 15 years of age, felony sexual abuse of minors, felony physical child abuse, missing and runaway children, and felony custodial interference with the ultimate goal of prosecution.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

The unit provides investigative services aimed at the effective investigation of (felony) offenses in which children are victims through the collection and preservation of physical evidence; identification and apprehension of suspects and assisting in the criminal prosecution of defendants charged with crimes against children.

The CACU is a high-volume call-out unit with a considerable workload involving emergent cases. The CACU responds to priority cases 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The CACU works collaboratively with numerous outside agencies such as STAR, AST, SART, AWAIC, Alaska Cares, Department of Law and many other local and federal law enforcement agencies.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • If the child discloses when the abuse occured or if they are is still in the home of the offender or if the offender is returning soon, that is important information the investigators will want to know. But do not continue to ask questions once there has been a disclosure of abuse. Investigators want to ask questions in a forensic setting.

    If a child is currently in danger, call 9-1-1.

    All other reports can be made by calling 3-1-1 or (907) 786-8900, the non-emergency numbers for APD. A patrol officer will respond and talk with you if the victim is 15 and under. Children 16 and older may be interviewed by the patrol officer on scene to determine elements of a crime.

  • Historical abuse, when there is no biological evidence to collect (more than 7 days have passed) and the victim is no longer having contact with the offender, can be made to APD via email at ReportChildAbusetoAPD@anchorageak.gov. If the offense occurred within 7 days and/or the victim has contact with the suspect, contact APD by calling 3-1-1 or (907) 786-8900, the non-emergency numbers for APD.

    If a child is currently in danger, call 9-1-1.

    Remember that mandatory reporters must report suspected sexual abuse to law enforcement as well as the Office of Children Services (OCS). Reporting to OCS can be done via email at reportchildabuse@alaska.gov or 1 (800) 478-4444.

  • Children are interviewed at a child advocacy center, Alaska CARES. Children are only interviewed by persons trained in Child First Forensic Interviewing which is a nationally accredited process. The interview process is specifically done in a method so as not to introduce leading information to the child being interviewed. The interview could be conducted by a plain clothed police detective, an Office of Children’s Services worker, or a forensic interviewer from Alaska CARES. Families will be assisted at Alaska CARES by an advocate and a forensic nurse will be available for any medical concerns.

  • The report will be screened for urgency, are there injuries, is there biological evidence to collect, etc.? Those cases will be assigned immediately and seen as soon as possible. Historical cases (no injuries, no biological evidence, child is not with the offender) will be triaged and if the case meets assignment criteria a detective will be assigned as soon as practical. This could take up to a week. After a detective is assigned, they should contact the parent or guardian of the victim within three business days to explain the next steps and schedule the forensic interview.

  • Reports of sexual abuse that occurred in communities outside the Municipality of Anchorage or in other states can still be made to APD. APD will take the report and review the case. APD can investigate as an agency assist and work with other law enforcement agencies to complete the investigation.

Cyber Crimes Unit (CCU)

Alaska Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force

MISSION: The Anchorage Police Department (APD) Cyber Crimes Unit, which also serves as the Alaska Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, is responsible for investigating, preventing, and responding to technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.
As technology rapidly evolves, APD recognizes the critical importance of investigating crimes involving computers, digital devices, and the internet to protect children, support victims, and hold offenders accountable. The unit also provides training, education, and investigative support to law enforcement agencies and the community throughout Alaska.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

The APD Cyber Crimes Unit / Alaska ICAC Task Force investigates internet-facilitated crimes involving the exploitation of minors, including:

  • Possession, distribution, and production of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)

  • Online enticement or exploitation of minors for sexual purposes

  • Distribution of sexually explicit material to minors

  • Technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation investigations

  • Digital forensic examinations related to child exploitation cases

The unit works closely with federal, state, and local partners and participates in nationally coordinated investigations through the ICAC Task Force Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).

As Alaska's largest law enforcement agency, APD provides leadership and support to affiliated agencies across the state through training, investigative assistance, forensic support, and public education.

WHAT WE DO NOT INVESTIGATE:

The APD Cyber Crimes Unit does not investigate the following. Reports involving these issues should be directed to the appropriate agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at consumer.ftc.gov.

  • Financial crimes or fraud

  • Identity theft

  • Misdemeanor harassment cases

  • Malware or virus infections

  • Phone scams or phishing calls

  • Network intrusions or hacking incidents

  • Espionage

  • General conspiracy report

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • ‍Do not share, copy, or forward the images.

    ‍Call 3-1-1 to make a report to the Anchorage Police Department. The report will be reviewed and screened by a Cyber Crimes Unit supervisor.

    You may also submit a report to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) through the CyberTipline: report.cybertip.org

    If a child is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.‍

  • Submit a report to NCMEC’s CyberTipline: report.cybertip.org
    CyberTipline reports are shared with the appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation.

  • National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) operates a service called Take It Down that helps request the removal of CSAM from participating online platforms: takeitdown.ncmec.org This tool is designed to help minors and families take action to stop the spread of exploitative images online.

  • No. The APD Cyber Crimes Unit does not investigate scams, fraud, or hacking incidents.

    Report scams and fraudulent activity to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): consumer.ftc.gov