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Kingman Police report: 2024 calls up 6%, vehicle thefts surge; department outlines recruitment needs
Summary
The Kingman Police Department reported a 6% increase in total calls for service in 2024, with vehicle thefts up about 82%, domestic violence incidents up 26% and drug-related offenses up 32%. The department said officer-generated activity and enforcement increased and noted ongoing recruitment and vacancy challenges.
The Kingman Police Department presented its 2024 annual report to the city council on April 15, reporting a 6% increase in total calls for service compared with 2023 and detailed shifts in crime and enforcement metrics.
Chief Cooper told council the year’s highlights included an 82% increase in vehicle thefts (about 100 incidents) that staff tied in part to a social-media trend involving Kia and Hyundai models; the department said several arrests were made and those incidents have largely stopped. Domestic violence incidents increased 26% and drug-related offenses rose 32%. Chief Cooper said officer-generated activity increased 25%, contributing to higher drug and traffic enforcement numbers, and that adult arrests rose 25% while juvenile arrests rose 71%.
Traffic enforcement also increased: written warnings and citations rose significantly, with staff describing a 61% increase in warnings and a 92% increase in citations compared with the prior year. Chief Cooper said traffic enforcement changes were deliberate and not quota-driven, intended to improve safety on corridors such as Stockton Hill Road.
Staff described staffing challenges: the department reported seven unfilled sworn officer positions, three officers on injured reserve, one officer on extended military deployment, two recruits currently in the academy and additional officers in field training. The department continues recruitment and has had successful lateral hires in prior years.
Chief Cooper also reviewed department initiatives including reaccreditation (NIBRS certified submissions with an error rate under 1%), grant-funded traffic and task-force activities, a newly filled Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) detective position and an officer wellness program that provides an annual, confidential face-to-face session for staff. Regarding the city’s urban camping ordinance (effective Feb. 6), the chief said enforcement has proceeded without public complaints to date.
Council thanked the chief and requested that quarterly summaries from River Medical quarterly reviews (from the earlier agenda item) be forwarded to the city manager for distribution to council; the chief agreed.
