Confirmation hearing for Anchorage police chief-designate postponed

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – A confirmation hearing for Anchorage’s police chief-designate scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday has been canceled.

According to Christopher Constant, chairman of the Anchorage Assembly, the certificate of appointment has been postponed until after July 1.

In a statement to Alaska’s News Source, Constant said there were two reasons for the decision: qualifications and the mayor’s appointment.

“With the new administration taking office on July 1 and us already in the eighth day of the 30-day transition period, it is not fair to Chief Designee Cross to put her through the confirmation process now,” Constant wrote. “The appointment decision now rests with the new administration. The question of qualifications remains in the hands of the Assembly.”

Cross was appointed Chief Designee by current Mayor Dave Bronson in April of this year following the retirement of Chief Michael Kerle. She is the first woman to hold the position.

Cross began her career with APD in 1997 as an academy recruit. During her 26-year career with the department, she has held a variety of positions, from patrol officer and supervisor to most recently serving as captain of APD’s Criminal Investigation Unit.

Anchorage Mayor-elect Suzanne LaFrance was officially confirmed by the Anchorage Assembly on May 31 after defeating incumbent Bronson in the 2024 mayoral runoff election.

LaFrance will be officially sworn in as mayor on July 1. LaFrance will be the first elected female mayor of Anchorage.

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