Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPOPD Annual Report - 2025•a �v — I'OLIC •, r WA 1 1 r�` 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 I 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 ID 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 Ll team through our transparency, accountability, :> and engagement. SP** 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 C) one of the safest communities in the nation. V Ak L u E S 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. 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. 2025 POPD ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 4 Letter from Mayor Rob Putaansuu and Chief Matt Brown _9W1 M'mm"M ie Port Orchard Police Department's success in 2025 flects the dedication and service -first mindset of the en and women of our agency. Throughout the year, ours aff demonstrated a deep commitment to jthi>mmunity through partnerships across the city,gion, and this state. From complex investigation arine operations, community outreach to r sponses to crime, our work remained grounded in ou clues of Service, Honor, and Integrity as we continue aking Port Orchard a great place to live, work, and visit. kt its core, an annual report is a storyboard of what we accomplished over the last year with the staffing an -esources allocated to us by our community. It highlights >ur achievements, documents our progress, and help ;uide our efforts to improve. n 2025, we were re -accredited by the Washingto kssociation of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, an honor hel )y fewer than 20% of agencies in our state. Our sta Aepped up time and time again, demonstrating initiative and a commitment to public safety. Mirroring nationa rends, crime in Port Orchard decreased last year by oughly 7.44%. 1 am incredibly proud of our team's wor and grateful for the ur community safe. welcoming. and livab Matt Brown, Chief Rob Putaansuu, Ma , Port Orchard PD City of Port Orchar k 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 nearly 20,000 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. 2025 POPD ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 6 ORGANIZATION: CHIEF OF POLICE M. BROWN I1 �' DEPUTY CHIEF OF OPERATIONS A. BRANDON SGT. HOLDEN SGT. MAIN SGT. EILERTSON SGT. MIULLI 'HART DEPUTY CHIEF OF ADMINISTRATION A. WASHITA DET. SGT. HORSLEY ►� q POLICE SERVICES COORDINATOR C. CIRCELLI 0 2025 POPD ANNUAL REPORT PAGE � REACCREDITATION WAS RECEIVED IN 2025 ,i•i Purpose Law enforcement accreditation helps professionalize policing. It certifies that an agency operates under recognized best practices and standards. Background In 1976, the Washington State Legislature directed the Association to create standards and goals for Washington law enforcement. Since then, the Association has operated an accreditation program, updating it regularly. The current version was launched in 2007 and is continuously improved. Program Approach Members asked for standards that reflect the highest level of professionalism while remaining financially accessible to all agencies. Key features of the current program include: • All 145 standards are required. Each is based on law or universally accepted professional practice. • On -site assessors verify compliance through document review, observation, and employee interviews. They confirm that written policies exist and that employees follow them. Benefits of Accreditation Accreditation strengthens agency performance, credibility, and community trust. Key benefits include:LID • Increasing public confidence 0RC9 , • Building agency credibility • Providing consistent, structured self -assessment • Broadening organizational perspective ' m 011 • Improving administrative and operational effectiveness • Ensuring fair and equitable recruitment, selection, and promotion • Strengthening employee understanding of policies and procedures • Improving morale and pride • Reducing vulnerability to litigation and costly settlements • Potentially lowering liability insurance costs Earning state and local recognition for professional competence 2025 POPD ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 8 720 HOURS � The Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) is Washington State's mandated training academy for all entry-level peace officers. Through a centralized training model and with a focus on a guardian model of policing, students attend a wide array of best -practices courses. • EVOC • CONTROL/DEFENSIVE TACTICS • FIREARMS TRAINING • BASIC PATROL PROCEDURES • STANDARD FIELD SOBRIETY TEST • BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION • CRIMINAL LAW • CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • INTERVIEWING 0 r, G 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 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 GRADOFFICER PHASE 1 : 4 WEEKS � 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 FTO OFFICERS AIMEEALLEN------------ throughout. The FTO evaluates the new officer daily, AUSTIN CULBERT weekly, and monthly. These evaluations are formally SARAH DUKE documented and forwarded to the FTO supervisors JOSIAH GAPSCH NOAH SANCHEZ for review. PHASE 2 : 4 WEEKS The new officer begins to take more of the lead on SERGEANT calls, and the FTO starts to teach more complex JON EILERTSON --- tasks, such as investigations and court testimony. Evaluations are still done on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. DEPUTYCHIEF --- --- - PHASE 3 : 4 WEEKS ANDY BRANDON The new officer leads calls, and the FTO moves into guidance/support role. Evaluations are still done on --------------- a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. SHADOW PHASE: 2 WEEKS FTO is just there to observe and does not assist the officer in anyway. 2025 POPD ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 10 0 Z H H Z LU L a LU 2025 REOUIRED TRAINING TOPICS Officers completed the following training areas: • Patrol Tactics • Implicit Bias Awareness • Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement • Anti -Bias for Law Enforcement • Hate Crimes • Sleep and Health • De-escalation and Minimizing Force • Racial Profiling • Crisis Intervention Update • Defensive Tactics Update • Emergency Vehicle Operations • Defensive Driving • Sexual Harassment Prevention • Daily Training Bulletins (policy - based) 2025 POPD ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 11 i MW The Patrol Unit serves as the uniformed division of the Port Orchard Police Department and is responsible for a broad range of essential public safety functions. Patrol officers: • Respond to emergencies and calls for service • Conduct field interviews and criminal investigations • Enforce traffic laws and promote roadway safety • Proactively address criminal activity and emerging trends • Work collaboratively with the community to identify and resolve problems The mission of the Patrol Unit is to preserve the peace and maintain public order. Whenever possible, officers prioritize education, voluntary compliance, and community engagement over enforcement. When issues can be resolved without arrest, that approach is preferred and encouraged. TThe Patrol Unit is currently authorized for twenty-two sworn personnel, including four sergeants. One of the most significant public safety challenges we continue to address is opioid-related overdoses. After experiencing a 375% increase in overdose -related calls in 2024, the department invested heavily in training, preparedness, and 0 community outreach. All officers are now trained in the use of Narcan, a medication that can rapidly reverse opioid overdoses. In 2024, officers administered Narcan 19 times —directly saving lives. This year, we are encouraged to report a 68% decrease in deployments, with officers administering Narcan only six times. This reduction reflects the combined impact of proactive enforcement, community education, and early intervention by our officers and community partners. At the same time, the Patrol Unit has seen a 23% increase in DUI arrests. This rise is attributable to the officers' proactive efforts highlighted above, including increased traffic enforcement, targeted patrols in high -risk areas, and a continued focus on roadway safety. These actions reinforce our commitment to preventing impaired driving and reducing the harm it brings to our community. 2025 POPD ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 12 LOGGED FLIGHTS 53 FLIGHT TIME (MINUTES) 7,060 _ l e • -� !WrT • Supported major incidents including a homicide scene, missing -person search, and sinking -vessel reports. • Assisted searches in wooded areas for gunshots and fleeing suspects. • Provided aerial support for burglary investigations and real-time crowd updates at public events. • Documented derelict -vessel locations in Sinclair Inlet. 11111aft,_ — - UJ z • Logged 228.75 hours of marine patrol focused on safety and emergency response. • Conducted vessel safety checks and supported the national Operation Dry Water campaign. • Responded to search -and -rescue incidents, including sinking vessels and overturned kayakers. • Investigated vessel collisions and enforced City Pier moorage rules. • Tagged roughly 35 derelict vessels and removed several posing safety or environmental risks, with all disposal costs ($17,234.80) fully reimbursed by the state. Or Case Workload and Assignments In 2025, the General Investigations Unit (GIU) continued to expand its investigative capacity and support to the department. Throughout the year, GIU detectives completed more than 234 supplemental reports stemming from follow-up investigations on cases initially handled by patrol. In addition, the unit assumed primary responsibility for 35 cases. These investigations included ICAC cases, agency assists, child sexual assaults, and death investigations assigned directly to GIU for comprehensive follow-up. Major Crime Investigations GIU detectives handled several significant and complex cases during the year. Notable categories of major investigations included: • Death investigations • Infant assault cases involving serious injuries • Sexual assault investigations These cases required extensive coordination with outside agencies, forensic teams, and specialized support resources. W COLD CASE HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION Detectives continue to actively investigate the 2008 cold case homicide, working closely with the FBI, the Attorney General's Office, and specialized outside partners. Advancements in DNA technology, including enhanced profiling and the use of familial DNA research, are providing new opportunities to evaluate persons of interest and pursue previously unavailable leads. Investigators remain committed to fully examining every resource to move this case forward and seek justice for the victim and their family. Training and Professional Development WAs a developing unit, GIU placed strong emphasis on investigator training and skill -building. Each detective completed approximately 200 hours of professional training during the year. This investment in training strengthened the unit's capabilities in major -case investigations, digital Wevidence handling, and specialized interview techniques. 2025 POPD ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 14 a go 1 .1 PROCESSED PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS 517 WARRANTS FRONT Answer DESK Phone Calls Public o REQUESTS Records 1 Act L19311 TOTAL REPORTS PROCESSED 51y PROTECTION ORDERS (ENTERED, MODIFIED, REMOVED, SERVED) ru- mqr-q L t;onceaLe Department pistol E-mail License Outside Agencies I Discovery DATA � Validations Stolen Warrants ENTRY Property OTHER Supply Equipment TASKS Purging Ordering Inventory Order Service Background Checks Protection Orders Recruitment/ Social Media 120 HOURS OF BODYWORN CAMERA PROCESSING Assist Voicemail Citizens in Person BOLO Property Distribution Returns Adult/ Missing Juvenile Persons Sealings Incoming Outgoing Mail Mail 2025 POPD ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 15 LU U z LU 0 LU LU am O Ice am Ee ZZ, 202y 2025 W: 505 637 OUT: 560 672 2024 2025 IN: 47 69 OUT: 3y 53 (f Destroyed: 20 22 Returned to Owner: iq 31 202y 2025 L109701 329299 202y 2025 IN: 102 80 OUT 97 91 2025 POPD ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 16 2023 2024 2025 S T A T S 0 CALLS FOR SERVICE (CFS): YEARLY COMPARISON 2023 - 2025 _ Community Generated Calls 0 Officer Generated Calls 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 2023 2024 2025 INFRACTIONS 0 COLLISIONS 2023 2024 2025 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 INFRACTIONS COLLISIONS 64.7% 1% TRAFFIC STOPS 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 2025 POPD ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 1 CRIME ALT AL GLANCE National Incident -Based Reporting System (NIBRS) Group A Offenses We work around the clock to protect and serve our community. Overall, the city remains a safe place to live, work, and visit. In 2025, we saw a 7.44% decrease in crimes compared to 2024. 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. 2025 GROUP A OFFENSES SOCIETY 5% PERSON 39% PROPERTY 56'% GROUP A OFFENSES CRIMES AGAINST 2024 % OF TOTAL 2025 % OF TOTAL PERSON 428 34% 452 39% PROPERTY 779 62% 661 56% SOCIETY 56 4% 56 5% TOTAL 1258 100% 1169 100% 2025 POPD ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 18 Dustin McClure joined the Port Orchard Police Department in 2014 as a Reserve Police Officer, a volunteer role that allows community members to directly serve public safety and our efforts to reduce crime, and the fear of crime. Reserve police officers don't step forward for recognition or compensation. They do it out of a genuine desire to serve and give back. Dustin's service has made a positive difference here, often in ways the public may rarely see but absolutely take benefit. He has a servant's heart, and embodies our values of Service, Honor, and Integrity. For twelve years he has shown up, supported our department, and helped ensure our community is well cared for. His service required twenty hours of patrol time per month, along with multiple full days of training throughout the year. He often worked late and at the city's special events. Over the years, Dustin volunteered over 5,000 hours of his time. His meaningful contributions to this community would not have happened without his family's support and their willingness to share him with us. Officer McClure, thank you. Thank you for twelve years of service, sacrifice, and steadfast dedication to this community. You truly embody our values of Service, Honor, and Integrity. On behalf of this department, and the City of Port Orchard, we extend our sincere gratitude. Our community is better because of you. We wish you and your family nothing but the best in your future endeavors 2025 POPD ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 19 Officer of the Year Professional Staff of the Year Sarah Duke Caroline Eberhardy SERVICE AWARD Cyndi Cercelli - 25 Years EXCEPTIONAL DUTY Sgt. Trey Holden Ofc. Josiah Gapsch Ofc. Aimee Allen Ofc. Austin Hodnett CIVIC ACHIEVEMENT Sgt. Donna Main Kathie Thoma LIFE SAVING AWARD Sgt. Donna Main Ofc. Joe Szuch Ofc. Alexis Casillas-Manzano Ofc. Noah Sanchez MARKMANSHIP AWARD CHIEF'S COMMENDATION Chief Matt Brown Det. Nick Smith DC Andy Brandon Ofc. Austin Hodnett Sgt. Trey Holden Ofc. Zach Short Sgt. Jon Eilertson Ofc. Joe Szuch Ofc. Josiah Gapsch Res Ofc. Dustin McClure Ofc. Noah Sanchez Sgt. Main Sgt. Horsley Ofc. Huibregtse Ofc. Gapsch Ofc. Smith Ofc. Culbert Ofc. Allen NARCAN AWARD Sgt. Donna Main Ofc. Noah Sanchez Ofc. Joe Szuch Ofc. Austin Hodnett SAFE DRIVER AWARD DC Andy Brandon Sgt. Donna Main Sgt. Jon Eilertson Ofc. DJ Huibregtse Ofc. Josiah Gapsch Ofc. Noah Sanchez Ofc. Kristle Schroeder Ofc. Luis Clemen 2025 POPD ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 20 J O I N T H E PORT ORCHARD OLIC ��- Q F CIT x X X X x% X X X X% X%% ��._�, � POLICE r. �� x x x X X X x X X X X x x x 1. 1e� x x x x x x x x x x x X X x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x ENTRY LEVEL LATERAL/MMFIED OFFICERS • PAY $41.98 - $ 51.95 HOURLY EXTRA PAY INCENTIVES % . PAY $45.59 - $ 51.95 HOURLY • $80,602.00 - $99,744.00 YEARLY • COLLEGE DEGREES PAY 2%-4% • $87,533.00 - S99,744.00 YEARLY • BILENGUAL PAY 2% • SPECIALTY/INSTRUCTOR PAY 1%2% I • OVERTIME/SPECIAL CITY EVENTS • LONGEVITY PAY ' • HIGHLY DESIRED 5 DAYS ON 4 DAYS OFF SCHED _ ONE 5 DAY WEEKEND A MONTH T BENEMS ll'I _�- MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, LIFE, HRA, VEBA *TAKE HOME PATROL VEHICLE* *ALL EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS PROVIDED* LOCATED IN THE HEART OF KITSAP COUNTY A GROWING CITY ON THE RISE s A f K • air *"""w". y i 1 r ' • • PROMOTE RANK • MARINE UNIT • DETECTIVES • DRONE OPERATOR • KITSAP INTERAGENCY TRAFFIC TEAM (KITT) • PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER • BIKE PATROL SERVICE HONOR INTEGRITY (360) 876-1700 FIND US ON INSTAGRAM ' 0 POLICE^PORTORCHARDWA.GOV @portorchardpoliceciept 2, f L`" FACEBOOK @ PORT ORCHARD POLICE DEPARTMENT JOB LISTINGS PUBLIC SAFETY VET-TO-LEO POPDRECRUITING@PORTORCHARDWA.GOV 2025 POPD ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 22 STAY CONNECTED! (Qportorchardpolicedept Port Orchard Police Department �OMACT US! m RTORCHARDWA.GOV p O��POLICE@PORTORCHARDWA.GOV OFFICE: (360)876-1700 TM DONATE