Alaska public safety officers would be allowed to make warrantless arrests for some misdemeanors under a proposed law in the state Legislature.

Bill sponsor Rep. Cathy Muñoz, R-Juneau, said the bill would strengthen law enforcement's ability to arrest people on the spot for misdemeanors committed against a person.

Page Decker, assistant Juneau police chief, said these crimes would include misdemeanor assault, stalking and indecent exposure, among others.

Unless an officer witnesses a misdemeanor crime as it is occurring, Decker said, an officer currently must get a witness to authorize a citizen's arrest of a person.