Grand Island police chief reports staffing gains, new units and a goal to cut crime 20% in 2025

Chief Denny gave the Grand Island City Council a quarterly report on the police department’s staffing, equipment and 2025 priorities, saying the department has reclassified positions, added supervisory ranks and will pursue specialized units and targeted enforcement to drive down crime.

Denny said the department had raised more than $30,000 with Crimestoppers in 2024 and that officers and family members attended Police Week in Washington, D.C., to honor Officer Chris Marcello. He said the department has reclassified two positions in records, added two lieutenant and two sergeant positions, and plans to add two sworn full‑time equivalents this fiscal year; staff expect authorized strength to reach 91 in 2025 and aim for about 102 by January 2027.

“To give you just kind of a general percentage, lieutenants are probably on the streets, probably about 40 to 50% of the time. The sergeants are on the streets, probably closing in on about 70 of their time,” Denny said, describing the department’s emphasis on supervisory presence.

Denny described a four‑pronged strategy to reduce crime: strengthen leadership and culture; positive community engagement; visible patrol and traffic enforcement; and strategic policing initiatives such as hotspot mapping and specialized units (examples cited included a traffic unit and a violent‑crimes unit). He said the department added two canine/therapy dogs (Cello and Boone) and launched wellness supports including a peer support program and a two‑year $200,000 grant to provide quarterly psychiatric services for officers.

Denny reported preliminary January figures showing calls for service up about 10%, traffic stops up about 40% and traffic accidents down about 36% for the month. He said the department will report monthly on progress toward a stated goal of reducing crime by 20% in 2025.

The chief also described equipment and training plans: multiyear replacement of older weapons, added training ammo donations from a local manufacturer, new vehicle graphics and patches, and continued investments in leadership and technical training (drone technology, crime scene mapping). He said the department is continuing recruitment efforts that emphasize hiring locally and diversifying the force, and that many new hires are Spanish speakers or first‑generation residents of Grand Island.

Council members asked about diversity, investigative capacity for crimes involving social media and the timing and impact of the staffing increases. Council President Sheard, Council Member Brown and Council Member O’Neil joined the discussion; O’Neil asked whether the department had enough specialized staff to investigate technology‑enabled crimes, and Denny said the city has capable investigators but expects to add positions and training for those functions.

Denny closed by thanking council and the community and said he is “proud of the police department” and its momentum heading into 2025.

No formal action was taken; the item was an informational update to the council.