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Geneva police outline 2024 activity, staffing and plans for a K-9 program
Summary
Police Chief Jack Camper reviewed 2024 calls, staffing trends and community programs and described early planning for a K-9 program while council members pressed for details on costs, logistics and timelines.
Chief Jack Camper opened the police department presentation at the April 14 City of Geneva council meeting by honoring employees and summarizing 2024 activity. "We responded to 8,530 calls for service. We conducted 1,194 traffic stops and over 200 citations," Camper said, and he recognized Officer Michael Smith as officer of the year, dispatcher Britney Brantley as dispatcher of the year and longtime part-time employee Lynn Ferrisquier for service.
Camper told council the department is nearly fully staffed but faces two retirements this year and continued challenges recruiting entry-level officers. "Our last civil service test had five registered and only three took the test; all three passed, and we hired one," he said. He also listed equipment needs — tasers and radios among them — and said the department expects to complete radio-system upgrades by July 1.
On a possible K-9 program, Camper described preliminary work to choose and train dogs and said the department hopes to establish the program "before the end of the summer." Council members pressed for more information on funding, logistical needs and staffing to support a K-9 team. One council member asked whether the dogs would be donated; Camper said donations had been discussed but the department had decided to pursue a different direction and that no final plan had been adopted.
Several council members emphasized they want the K-9 plan shared with council before any purchases or assignments. "Once we have that plan in place, it will be shared here in the council before anything happens," City Manager Barnett said during the conversation, reiterating that some elements remain undecided and that staff would present details to the council.
Camper also highlighted recent community engagement: department members attended a safety program that drew about 1,100 students from Ashtabula, Lake and Trumbull counties and neighboring Chicago suburbs. He said the department intends to increase community outreach in 2025.
The presentation closed with council and staff thanking the department and reminding that personnel and program decisions would return to council when more details and cost estimates are available.
