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Home My WebLink AboutPort Orchard Police Department Annual Report 2024PORT ORCHARD POLICr DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve the community; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the constitutional rights of all to liberty, equality and justice. I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all and will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to me or to my agency. I will maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed both in my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the law and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty. I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, political beliefs, aspirations, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and the relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities. I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and 1 accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will never engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor will I condone such acts by other police officers. I will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and their representatives in the pursuit of justice. I know that I alone am responsible for my own standard of professional performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve my level of knowledge and competence. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself to my chosen profession ... law enforcement. It is the Mission of the Port Orchard Police Department to protect the lives, property, and rights of all members of our community. We will work to reduce crime, and the fear of crime, while remaining proactive and innovative in our approach to the enforcement of the law. Our community shall know we are all members of one team through our transparency, accountability, and engagement. Our Vision is to be amongst the finest law enforcement agencies in the State of Washington; one which constantly delivers the highest quality public service to make the City of Port Orchard one of the safest communities in the nation. SERVICE Serving the Port Orchard community is our greatest honor and privilege. We will do so in an impartial, courteous, responsive, efficient, and humble manner. We will work hand in hand with all members of our community to solve problems that affect public safety. HONOR We hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of our profession while valuing equality, diversity, and individual rights. Our badge is a symbol of public faith; we accept it as a public trust so long as we are true to the ethics of our service. INTEGRITY Integrity is our standard for we shall always do what is morally, ethically, and legally right. We are honest and truthful in our words and actions. Our integrity will build trust and confidence, for this is our defense against corruption. The City of Port Orchard and the Port Orchard Police Department are honored to present the 2024 Police Annual Report. Our officers and professional staff proudly serve over 19,000 community members with Service, Honor, and Integrity. This report reflects not only the vital work performed by the men and women of this agency but also the shared commitment of our city to ensure safety, justice, and community trust. In 2024, we continued to build upon our regional partnerships to bring innovative programs to our area, such as the Community -Law Enforcement Aligning in Response to Substance Abuse, also known as CLEARS. This program brought together members of law enforcement, fire, social service providers, and those with lived experience to design a community -led program to reduce the impact of substance use disorders. We increased our traffic enforcement to reduce speeding, impaired driving, and serious injury collisions. With improved staffing levels, we were able to directly focus on crimes that have the highest impact on our community — dropping our crime rate nearly 30% since 2022. 2024 also brought the conclusion of a six-month major remodel of the police department. By using our area within City Hall more efficiently, we hope to remain on -site for several more years. In 2025, we will remain focused on staff retention, recruitment, and professional growth. Our positive work culture permits us to continue attracting and retaining talented staff with a heart for service. As our City continues to grow, we seek innovative ways to reduce crime and the fear of crime, including more community engagement and outreach. We value community input and strive to be responsive to everyone who lives, works, and visits Port Orchard. Compliments and complaints are always welcome, as they allow us to understand our strengths and areas for improvement. Thank you for your continued trust as we work to keep our community safe and livable. Matt Brown, Chief Rob Putaansuu, Mayor Port Orchard PD City of Port Orchard Nestled on the shore of Sinclair Inlet, the City of Port Orchard was originally named Sidney in 1890, becoming the first town to incorporate in Kitsap County. The area was known for its lumber industry, pottery works, and agricultural opportunities. In 1893, Sidney residents built a courthouse and donated it to the county; Sidney was then chosen as the county seat. In 1903, during a dispute over the regional post office, the town was officially renamed the City of Port Orchard. The city has long been known as a robust waterfront community with deep ties to the Navy and the civilian -led "Mosquito Fleet." The city was originally serviced by a town marshal. Along with preserving law and order in the young, and sometimes rough, town, the marshal was expected to install and maintain the wooden sidewalks. In 1941, the town had grown enough that the city council decided to create its own police force. The small staff of peace officers wore light blue uniforms modeled after those worn by the Seattle Police Department. A five -pointed cap and a revolver topped off their look. The City of Port Orchard has over 19,000 residents but serves the greater community of South Kitsap, a population of nearly 90,000. The city covers 11.2 square miles with approximately 15% of that area within Sinclair Inlet. Today, the police department has twenty-seven commissioned and certified peace officers as well as a tenured reserve peace officer. With a professional administrative staff of five, the Port Orchard Police Department is a modern, full -service public safety agency. Our officers patrol the city and its waterway, remaining engaged with the community as partners. Our departmental values of Service, Honor, and Integrity guide our actions and decisions. Our key accomplishments for the year are seen through the lens of these Values. SERVICE • Successfully hired four new officers, conducted three promotions and added a Deputy Chief position. • Delivered high impact patrol response that contributed to a 29.6% decrease in crime. • Increased traffic enforcement, leading to a 30.5% decrease in injury collisions, with an overall decrease in collisions of 10%. HONOR • Partnered with the Community -Law Enforcement Aligning in Response to Substance Use (CLEARS) to enhance positive outcomes for those experiencing homelessness and substance use disorders. • Maintained strong collaborative relationships with justice -aligned groups such as the NAACP. INTEGRITY • Maintained accreditation through the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC). G' DEPUTY CHIEF OF OPERATIONS A. BRANDON Ii r 7� :)F POLICE 3ROWN DEPUTY CHIEF OF ADMINISTRATION A. I WAS H I TA SGT. MAIN SGT. HOLDEN SGT. WALTON SGT. EILERTSON DET. SGT. HORSLEY POLICE SERVICES COORDINATOR C. CIRCELLI F Our department is proud to have five highly skilled officers serving as Field Training Officers (FTOs). These dedicated professionals play a vital role in preparing new and lateral officers to serve our community with professionalism and integrity. Over the past year, our FTOs successfully guided six officers through the department's comprehensive training program. This rigorous process takes a minimum of four months per officer and includes real -world, on-the-job training. For new recruits, the timeline is extended to include time spent at the police academy. The Field Training Program ensures that every officer is fully equipped —both in knowledge and in practice —to meet the expectations of modern policing and to uphold the values of the Port Orchard Police Department. ACADEMY LATERAL GRAD OFFICER FTO OFFICERS AUSTIN CULBERT SARAH DUKE JOSIAH GAPSCH MIKE MIULLI NOAH SANCHEZ SERGEANT JON EILERTSON DEPUTY CHIEF ANDY BRANDON KS ------- The FTO is responsible for teaching new officers policies and procedures, officer safety, communication, and more. The new officer leads the call with the FTO teaching and mentoring throughout. The FTO evaluates the new officer daily, weekly, and monthly. These evaluations are formally documented and forwarded to the FTO supervisors for review. PHASE 2 : 5 WEEKS The new officer begins to take more of the lead on calls, and the FTO starts to teach more complex tasks, such as investigations and court testimony. Evaluations are still done on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. PHASE 3 : 5 WEEKS The new officer leads calls, and the FTO moves into guidance/support role. Evaluations are still done on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. GHOST PHASE: 2 WEEKS TO is just there to observe and does not assist the officer in any way. The Patrol Unit serves as the uniformed division of the Port Orchard Police Department. These officers are responsible for a wide range of duties, including: • Responding to emergencies and calls for service • Conducting field and criminal investigations • Enforcing traffic laws • Proactively addressing criminal activity • Working to solve problems within the community Our mission is to keep the peace and maintain public order. We prioritize education and community partnerships over enforcement whenever possible. When issues can be resolved or compliance achieved without making an arrest, that is our preferred approach. The Patrol Unit is currently authorized for twenty sworn personnel, to include four sergeants. One of the most significant public safety challenges we continue to face is the rise in opioid overdoses. In 2024, the Port Orchard Police Department experienced a 375% increase in overdose -related calls compared to 2023. In response, all of our officers are trained in the use of Narcan, a medication that can rapidly reverse opioid overdoses. In 2024 alone, officers successfully administered Narcan 19 times —directly saving lives in the process. These critical, life-saving interventions underscore the unwavering commitment and dedication our officers have to protecting and serving the Port Orchard community. Detective Sergeant Josh Horsley *Not Pictured is Sergeant Andee Walton The Port Orchard Police Department's General Investigation Unit is staffed by a dedicated team consisting of two full-time detectives and one sergeant. This unit is responsible for investigating serious criminal cases, many of which originate from patrol officers or are brought to our attention by community members. Detectives manage a wide variety of cases, including: • Homicides, felony assaults, and other violent crimes • Missing persons investigations • Crimes involving children • Major property crimes such as burglaries and thefts In 2024, detectives executed two residential search warrants within city limits. One investigation led to the recovery of dangerous explosives, while the other resulted in the arrest of a suspect in a sexual assault case. Our detectives also serve as members of the Kitsap Critical Incident Response Team (KCIRT), a regional partnership involving law enforcement agencies from Kitsap, Jefferson, and Clallam counties, as well as the Shelton Police Department and Washington State Patrol. KCIRT, in alignment with Washington State law and the newly created Office of Independent Investigations (OII), investigates in -custody deaths and serious officer -involved use - of -force incidents that result in great bodily injury or death. KCIRT investigations follow strict protocols to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance with the Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act (LETCSA). In 2024, our detectives responded to three KCIRT activations on behalf of our partner agencies. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 2024 PORT ORCHARD POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 13 PROPERTY & EVIDENCE secure handling, documentation, and disposition of all evidence and property that comes into the custody of the Port Orchard Police Department. Accuracy, accountability, and legal compliance are absolutely essential to the successful prosecution of criminal cases. In 2024, the unit processed over 505 new items, ranging from found property to case evidence. Regular audits and detailed records support prosecutorial needs and uphold chain -of -custody requirements. More than 560 items were lawfully returned, destroyed, or otherwise resolved this year, each handled with the care and attention required by policy and law. Property and evidence management is highly technical and tedious, requiring the 2024 PORT ORCHARD POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 14 M CALLS FOR SERVICE (CFS): YEARLY COMPARISON 2021 - 2024 Community Generated Calls _ Officer Generated Calls 12000 10000 • • 8000 6000 4000 3574 2000 0 2021 r-3 TOP 5 CPS 1. UNWANTED PERSONS 2. WELFARE CHECK 3. SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 4. THEFT 4811 5. MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISIONS 2022 2023 2024 CFS 4927% Sgt. Horsley conducting a traffic stop during a county wide emphasis. 0 TRAFFIC STOPS 2021 2022 1' 2023 1 2024 0 500 1000 1500 2000 INFRACTIONS COLLISIONS INFRACTIONS w21 275 50.3% 2022 271 COLLISIONS 2123 9.9% 303 21124 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 We work around the clock to protect and serve our community. Overall, the city remains a safe place to live, work, and visit. In 2024, we saw a 29.56% decrease in crimes compared to 2022. This is consistent with the decrease seen in many cities in the region. The highest crime trends we continue to see are property crimes, which include burglaries, thefts, motor vehicle thefts, and property destruction. 2024 GROUP A OFFENSES SOCIETY 4% PROP: 62 RSON 34% GROUP A OFFENSES CRIMES AGAINST 2022 % OF TOTAL 2024 % OF TOTAL PERSON 392 22% 426 34% PROPERTY 1,336 76% 779 62% SOCIETY 35 2% 53 4% TOTAL 1786 100% 1258 100% TEAR 2024 Person 4_6 Ram 17 sodomy Fondliae Agera-ated Assault ]� Simple assault 197 Intimidation 78 Kidnapping Abduction 3 Violation Of Ko Contact Or Protection Orders 67 Property 779 Robber- 1 C Buratar-Breaking & Entering 81 Arson 7 Pocket Pickine 1 Purse Snatching 6 Shoplifting 171 Theft From Building 20 Theft From Motor Vehicle 62 Theft Of M- otor Vehicle Parts Or Accessories 16 All Other Larcen- 145 Motor Vehicle Theft 56 ExtortionBlackmail 1 Counterfeiting Forgery 19 Fall? PretensesSnindle Confidence Game 1 Credit Card Automatic Teller Machine Fraud 1 Impersonation 10 Identit- Theft 24 Hacking Computer Invasion 4 Stolen Property Offenses 9 Destruction Damage Vandalism O: ?rcp-1-tv 135 Society (Quality of Life) 53 Drug N'arcotic Violations 37 Pornography Obscene Material 4 Weapon Lair Violations 10 Animal Cruelt , 2 TOTAL• • LOGGED FLIGHTS: 63 J Deployments• • Training • Supplement patrol operations o Burglary - Aerial Search of Apartment Complex under Construction. Speaker attachment used to announce the presence of police and to advise anyone in the complex that they were trespassing and to immediately vacate the premises. o Suicidal Subject on the second floor of an apartment complex reported to have a shotgun. Used the speaker attachment to fly to his balcony sliding glass door and provide phone numbers for mental health resources. o Property stolen from attendee of Cedar Heights football game — UAS used to search the roof of Fred Meyer and found the stolen property by the HVAC system. o Burglary of old Bingo Hall — Used for building search. • Marine unit operations o Searches for vessels in distress and derelict vessel management. Contacting vessel occupants in need utilizing the UAS as a first response tool. o Additional deployment for screaming heard from a vessel. • Aid in search and rescue operations o 15-year-old — Aerial search and used speaker attachment to call his name and give instructions to go home. • Special events A Used for crowd estimates and logistical planning. The Port Orchard Police Department Marine Patrol provides law enforcement responses, search and rescue, derelict vessel abatement, vessel collision investigation, and community outreach and education. We conducted ramp inspections, participated in the national Operation Dry Water (ODW) event and conducted 50 written vessel safety inspections Derelict vessels continue to be a challenge. The Marine Unit lawfully seized and destroyed 3 derelict vessels in Sinclair Inlet. The Department of Natural Resources fully funded the abatement, approximately $38,000. The Mtsap County Derelict Vessel Program (DVP) was created in 2024. This is a collaboration between Law Enforcement, DNR, Coast Guard and private marinas in Kitsap County. The DVP is working to create a shared database for vessel tracking and information sharing and working on legislative changes to improve laws that deal with derelict vessels. The marine unit logged approximately 78 hours of and 180 hours of training. In 2024, our department and several others in the region were provided a grant to participate in the Community -Law Enforcement Aligning in Response to Substance Use project, also known as CLEARS. Sgt. Main volunteered to participate with representatives from Law, EMS, criminal legal personnel, social service providers, and those with lived experience. The year -long project was intended to develop regional solutions to improve relationships with those suffering from substance use disorders and enhance positive outcomes. The workgroup designed a program to distribute bags with personal health items, Narcan, and information on two local resource centers with the goal of reaching people where they are and providing an opportunity for them to seek help when Officer of the Year Aimee Allen SERVICE AWARD Sgt. Donna Main - 15 YEARS Heather Humphrey - 10 YEARS Chief Matt Brown - 5 YEARS Ofc. Austin Culbert - 5 YEARS EXCEPTIONAL DUTY Sgt. Donna Main MARKMANSHIP AWARD Ofc. Mike Miulli Ofc. DJ Huibregtse Professional Staff of the Year Caroline Eberhardy k LIFE SAVING AWARD Ofc. Josiah Gapsch Ofc. Aimee Allen Ofc. Austin Hodnett SAFE DRIVER AWARD Ofc. Nick Smith CHIEF'S COMMENDATION Kathie Thoma Ofc. Austin Culbert Ofc. Sarah Duke NARCAN AWARD Ofc. Noah Sanchez Ofc. Mike Miul i Ofc. DJ Huibregtse Sgt. Jon Eilertson Sgt. Donna Main Ofc. Nick Smith Sgt Horsley Ofc. Aimee Allen Ofc. Robert Luke Ofc. Austin Culbert Ofc. Austin Hodnett Sgt. Andee Walton Ofc. Nathan Abbe Ofc. Alexis Casillas Manzano Ofc. Zachary Short Officer Joe Szuch The purpose of law enforcement agency accreditation is to professionalize the law enforcement industry by providing a review process for agencies to be certified as operating under industry best practices and standards. In 1976 the Association was directed by the Washington State Legislature to develop standards and goals for Washington State Law Enforcement. The Association has maintained an operational accreditation program since that time. The current accreditation program was updated in 2007 and is continually updated as needed. The program is overseen by the WASPC Professional Services Committee, Accreditation Commission, and Board of Directors. The membership wanted the program to reflect the highest professional standards of policing yet be financially accessible to any member agency that desired to earn it. The main differences between previous WASPC accreditation programs and the current program are: 1.All standards are "have -to practices" as determined by law or a universal practice within the profession; 2.The number of standards is less than 150 but all are mandatory for every agency; and, 3.The dominant verification method by the on -site assessors includes the examination of written documents, observations and interviews with the agency employees. Assessors review agency files for policies and procedures as well as documentation showing the agency is operating under the direction of those policies and procedures. Assessors will also interview agency members to gather additional information. WASPC Accreditation Standards Benefits of Accreditation Include • Goals and Objectives . To increase public confidence in the agency; • Role and Authority . To increase credibility; • Use of Force . To provide systemized agency self -assessment; • Management, Staffing, Organization and Utilization of Personnel . To broaden perspectives; • Records Management • To intensify administrative and operational effectiveness; • Information Technology • To ensure recruitment, selection, and promotion processes are fair and equitable; • Unusual Occurrences • To strengthen understanding of agency policies and procedures by agency personnel; • Health and Safety • To improve agency morale and pride; • Fiscal Management • To decrease susceptibility to litigation and costly civil court settlements; • Recruitment and Selection . To potentially reduce liability insurance costs; • Training . To provide state and local recognition of professional competence. • Performance Evaluation • Code of Conduct • Internal Affairs • Patrol Function • Investigative Function • Evidence and Property Control Function • Prisoner Security a S T ' � _ _ N -- a 1r : x •� ��'-' a' :,40 bp SERVICE •HONOR • INTEGRITY _ 7 POLICEAR C�f • STS `fE 4 } SERVICE • HONOR. (NT£GNTP f I • , w ��•` `I - y p� -'_-ftwok,�cC There are mahy stori)s UP%. Main taking an active role in assisting members of the community who suffer from substance use disorders. In the case of a young woman named Chellsey, addicted to fentanyl and living on the streets of Port Orchard, Sgt. Main was tenacious in her attempts to get Chellsey into treatment. After working with Chellsey's family, Sgt. Main tracked her down in Everett, where the young woman was finally ready for treatment. She has remained sober for the last five months. Sgt. Main calls those she rescues her "Starfish," after the story, The Starfish Story. This story is about a young girl who throws starfish back into the ocean so that they may live and is illustrative of the idea that even small actions can make a large difference. -I 1 Q 2024 PORT ORCHARD POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT PAGE21 CONTACT RECRUITMENT SERVICES @ POPDRECRUITIN G@PORTORCHARDWA. GOV JOB LISTINGS ;•s., r PUBLIC SAFETY PORTORCHARDWA.GOV POLICE@PORTORCHARDWA. GOV OFFICE: (360)876-1700 W1 @,portorchardpolicedept PQa. N. Port Orchard Police Department