Bethel at a glance
Population by race and Hispanic origin
Cities in this database with the most similarly-sized populations
Full-time law enforcement staff, Bethel Police Department
- 12 Officers
- 11 Civilian staff
Full-time law enforcement officers per 1,000 residents
- 4.5 National average, cities with under 10,000 population
- 2.2 National average
Federal grant funding for Bethel
We were unable to locate any federal grant funding for this location based on our standard search parameters. Learn more about the grant programs we are tracking.
Military equipment transfers
We were unable to locate any military equipment transfers for this location using the LESO Property Transferred to Participating Agencies database published by the Defense Logistics Agency. It is possible that this location has acquired military equipment for policing via other sources or programs.
Local police misconduct data, consent decrees, and settlements
Data last updated August 13, 2026
Settlements
We identified 2 publicly reported settlements that resulted in $10,000,000.00 in monetary compensation to victims.
| Year | Description | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
In December 2025, the City of Bethel, Alaska, agreed to a $7 million settlement with Bernard Mael, who was beaten and shocked with a Taser by police during a traffic stop. On December 23, 2023, Officer Jonathan Murphy stopped the vehicle Mael was driving because it was reported stolen. Body camera footage shows Murphy attempting to pull Mael from the vehicle and striking him with a closed fist. After Murphy released his grip, Mael drove away, prompting a pursuit. Murphy radioed to say that Mael had struck him with the vehicle; however, no evidence substantiates that claim. After officers again apprehended Mael, Murphy allegedly deployed a Taser, used pepper spray, and repeatedly struck him in the head while Mael attempted to shield himself. Mael alleged that the beating resulted in permanent brain damage. As of December 2025, Murphy was serving as the Chief of Police in Diamond City, Arkansas. |
Compensation
$7,000,000.00 |
| 2025 |
In December 2025, the City of Bethel, Alaska, agreed to a $3 million settlement with Nicholas Kerr, whom police shocked with a Taser and pepper-sprayed. On October 7, 2023, Kerr was sleeping in his parked vehicle when officers Jonathan Murphy, Lloyd Willis, and Sean Neal approached him, pulled him from the vehicle, and forced him to the ground. Body camera footage shows Neal deploying a Taser and Murphy pinning Kerr on his stomach and handcuffing him. When Kerr repeatedly screamed that he could not breathe, Neal pepper-sprayed him in the face. As of December 2025, no criminal charges had been brought against the officers, and Murphy was serving as the Chief of Police in Diamond City, Arkansas. |
Compensation
$3,000,000.00 |