Title
Olympia Police Department Public Safety Update
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive an Olympia Police Department public safety update
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive an Olympia Police Department public safety update
Staff Contact:
Shelby Parker, Police Chief, Olympia Police Department. 360.753.8147
Presenter(s):
Shelby Parker, Police Chief
Background and Analysis:
During this presentation, Police Chief Shelby Parker will provide an update on 2025 crime data, staffing levels, hiring and recruitment efforts, and Department-specific wellness programs.
The Olympia Police Department regularly uses data to track and respond to crime trends in the community. Recent service delivery data shows continued high demand for police services. In 2025, the Department responded to 53,664 calls for service requiring an officer, completed 6,642 reports, and conducted 5,904 Crisis Response Unit (CRU) contacts, reflecting a sustained need for both traditional policing and behavioral health response.
Crime and arrest data also continue to inform deployment strategies and resource allocation, including trends over time.
The Department currently includes approximately 129 total full-time employees, including 88 commissioned personnel and 41 non-commissioned staff. Additionally, the Department supports the community through volunteers, including VIPS (Volunteers in Police Service), Police Explorers (youth), and Police Chaplains.
As of late 2025, the Department experienced significant staffing challenges, including vacancies across commissioned and non-commissioned positions. As of April 2026, the Department has 13 commissioned vacancies. However, staffing trends are improving. The Department has hired 6 new members this year (3 officers and 3 CRU staff), is utilizing hiring incentives to strengthen recruitment outcomes, and has additional candidates progressing through the hiring process, wit...
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