Police chief details 2024 workload, staffing concerns and technology gains

Police Chief presented a 2024 summary to the Des Moines City Council on Oct. 5, saying the department employed 494 people and the dispatch center handled a little more than 450,000 calls last year, including just under 150,000 911 calls.

The presentation matters because the department highlighted rising demand for crisis response and sustained crime‑solving performance while warning that low staffing risks burnout and higher attrition. The chief said the department’s five‑year strategic plan will include incremental staffing requests for the council’s consideration.

The chief opened with the department mission and vision and a direct description of staffing and organization: “In partnership with our community, we will provide for a general protection, safety, and well‑being of all through a proactive approach in the prevention, detection, investigation of criminal activity,” the chief said. He listed three majors overseeing investigations, administration and operations and described the administration division as handling planning and budget, radio services, property and evidence, 911 emergency communications and accreditation.

On calls for service, the chief said the dispatch center recorded “a little over 450,000 calls” in 2024, with “just under 150,000” of those 911 calls and the remainder nonemergency. He said roughly 75% of incoming calls were triaged as higher‑priority (priority 0–2), often because callers report unknown circumstances that suggest immediate risk. The chief noted weekday peaks…