Lake Stevens police report shows staffing shortfalls, rising collisions and long DUI lab delays

The Lake Stevens Police Department presented its 2024 annual report to the City Council, reporting reductions in many crime types alongside persistent staffing shortages and a growing backlog in DUI forensic testing.

Police Chief (Lake Stevens Police Department) told the council the department "serves the Lake Stevens community by enhancing public safety and the quality of life through professional police services, organizational excellence, and community interaction," and outlined 2024 statistics, staffing levels and priorities for 2025.

Chief: staffing and recruitment

Chief said the department began the year with six vacancies, experienced three separations during the year, and has since hired to reach nearly full staffing except for two open positions (a traffic position and a detective). He reported the department is staffed for 37 sworn positions (36 filled at year-end) and 10 noncommission positions (10 filled). The chief said only 12 patrol officers are currently deployable “out of 24” patrol positions at any one time because of training and administrative limitations. He said the city would need roughly 50–54 patrol officers to reach the state average…