Arlene Tripp and Jack Tripp v. City and Borough of Juneau, Derek Bos, and Juneau Police Department

Summary

The court affirmed dismissal of the Tripps’ negligence action against the Juneau Police Department and the City, holding that JPD owed no duty to protect the public from an officer’s off-duty excessive alcohol consumption or to train another officer to report that conduct. No statute, internal policy, existing precedent, or public-policy factor supported recognizing the alleged duty, particularly because the connection between JPD’s conduct and the injuries was remote and the officer’s criminal decision to drive drunk was an intervening cause. The court therefore concluded that the complaint could not support direct liability for negligent training or supervision.