Alaska Police Standards Council v. Parcell

OPINION

WINFREE, Justice.

I. INTRODUCTION

The level of deference we afford to an underlying decision often is key to the resolution of an appeal, and this case makes that point erystal clear. A police officer's employment was terminated for abuse of alcohol, sexually offensive remarks made to two female officers, and alleged dishonesty during the subsequent police investigation. An arbitrator concluded that terminating the officer's employment was an excessive penalty and ordered the officer's reinstatement. The superior court affirmed the arbitration decision and we affirmed the superior court…