In 2011, the men and women of the DeKalb Police Department continued to combat crime with the professionalism and the dedication that has earned them the respect of the community and their peers in criminal justice circles. Their successes were realized despite the headwinds of a continuing poor economy and increasing caseloads.  Still understaffed, relief to address serious crime came at a cost.  Training hours increased and less serious crimes received fewer man hours of dedicated investigation.  Staff struggled under the weight of increasing domestic trouble calls, a doubling of warrant arrests, increased drug arrests, a 12% rise in crimes that make up the community’s crime rate, and the highest level of violent crime in at least 9 years.  Accidents were at the lowest level in at least a decade, fewer traffic tickets were issued and crimes that are not included in the crime rate decreased 8% allowing hours to be devoted to more serious crime.  The department is in a position of “robbing Peter to pay Paul” and it is not a good strategy in addressing community safety. 

Three to six officers will need to be hired over the next three years.  Three officers should be hired prior to July of 2013.  Two of the officers should be assigned to the gang unit to continue a pro-active effort in the areas of gang, drug and weapons violations.  The third officer should be hired fill the patrol position of the officer who will staff the Resident Officer Program.  The remaining three officers should be hired over the course of three years to further bolster the Patrol Division so training levels can return to normal, traffic enforcement can return to prior levels and citizens victimized by less serious crimes can receive the investigative service they deserve.  Hiring four officers will only bring the number of sworn officers back to pre-recession levels.

I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge Officers Ray West and Mitch Martin who retired in 2011.  I thank them for their service and willingness to commit themselves to the honorable profession of keeping our community safe.

As department staff put the finishing touches on this annual report, I am writing this letter from Monmouth, Illinois after my retirement from DeKalb Police Department.  I want to thank all the City Managers, Mayors, and Alderpersons that I have worked for and the citizens of DeKalb for the trust they placed in me over the years.  I also wish to thank the members of the DeKalb Police Department past and present, it was an honor to be a part of such an outstanding group of individuals and along the way I learned from each and every one of you.  My special thanks goes to my senior staff who supported me during my tenure as Chief, a time where the organization experienced unprecedented changes, challenges and triumphs.