Alaska Statutes
Alaska Stat. § 11.81.380 (2026)
Justification: Use of force by private person assisting an arrest or terminating an escape
✓ text as last checked Sept. 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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Sec. 11.81.380. Justification: Use of force by private person assisting an arrest or terminating an escape.
(a) Except as provided in (b) of this section, a person who has been directed by another who that person reasonably believes to be a peace officer to assist in making an arrest or terminating or preventing an escape may use nondeadly force when and to the extent the person reasonably believes it necessary to carry out the peace officer's direction. A person may use deadly force under this section only when the person reasonably believes it necessary to carry out the peace officer's direction to use deadly force.
(b) The use of force under (a) of this section is not justified if the person believes that the peace officer is not justified in using that degree of force under the circumstances.
(a) Except as provided in (b) of this section, a person who has been directed by another who that person reasonably believes to be a peace officer to assist in making an arrest or terminating or preventing an escape may use nondeadly force when and to the extent the person reasonably believes it necessary to carry out the peace officer's direction. A person may use deadly force under this section only when the person reasonably believes it necessary to carry out the peace officer's direction to use deadly force.
(b) The use of force under (a) of this section is not justified if the person believes that the peace officer is not justified in using that degree of force under the circumstances.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3
cases, 1984–2013 · leading case: Brown v. State, 698 P.2d 671 (Alaska Ct. App. 1985).
Brown v. State, 698 P.2d 671 (Alaska Ct. App. 1985). “nd with complete safety as to others, the person can avoid the necessity of using deadly force by retreating, except there is no duty to retreat if the person is (1) on premises which he owns or leases and the person is not the initial aggressor; or (2) a peace officer acting…”
Weston v. State, 682 P.2d 1119 (Alaska 1984). “complete safety as to others, the person can avoid the necessity of using deadly force by retreating, except there is no duty to retreat if the person is (1) on premises which the person owns or leases and the person is not the initial aggressor; or (2) a peace officer acting…”
Bearden v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 299 P.3d 705 (Alaska 2013). “Alaska's self-defense statute, AS 11.81.380, prohibits a person from relying on self-defense where "the person claiming self-defense was the initial aggressor.”
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