Senate panel advances Lambertson to Police Standards Council despite questions

The Alaska Senate Judiciary Committee forwarded Veronica Lambertson's appointment to the Alaska Police Standards Council to a joint session for confirmation Wednesday, April 22, after Senator Tobin raised questions about whether she meets statutory requirements for the seat.

Lambertson lives in Bird Creek, part of the Municipality of Anchorage, a jurisdiction with roughly 398,000 residents. Tobin noted that state statute 18.65.150 says the Police Standards Council should have four members of the public at large and at least two members from communities of 2,500 population or less.

Tobin said that from his understanding, the public seat is reserved for very small communities so they will have a fair voice on the council. He said that in his estimation and reading of the statute, he believed Lambertson was not qualified to hold the seat. Tobin encouraged her to consider withdrawing her name.

When asked about the population issue, Lambertson said, "My understanding was that it was a small community of 200, is the town itself of Bird Creek."

Committee Chair Clayman acknowledged that communities along Turnagain Arm, including Bird Creek, may feel excluded from Anchorage even though they are within the municipality. Clayman said the question was not one for the appointee but noted he would request research from legislative legal services on lawmakers' intent when they designated seats for communities of 2,500 population or less. Tobin said he would appreciate that research, specifically asking for a review of "intent when this council was discussed and established in statute and the lawmakers' intent when they designated two of those seats to be in populations of 2,500 and less."

Committee members also questioned Lambertson about social media posts they said they had reviewed. Clayman said he would not ask about a particular post but wanted her perspective on broader questions. When asked whether the Holocaust occurred, Lambertson said, "Do I believe something happened at the Holocaust and a tragedy and a lot of people died? Yes, I believe that actually happened. Are we being told the true story about it all? No, I don't believe we're being told the true story about it all."

When pressed on what part of the story she believed was untold, Lambertson said she did not know yet. She added, "There is classified documentation on it. And there is only certain redacted historical events that are released. And I think until we see the unredacted truth of the whole story, I would have questions about some questions."

Clayman also asked Lambertson about a social media post regarding children being harvested for adrenochrome. When asked if she believed this was occurring, Lambertson said, "I have no evidence of seeing it personally, no."