Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Police topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Duvall police chief presents 2024 year‑end review emphasizing stability gains and hiring progress
Summary
Chief Keller reported progress on evidence management, staff training and recruitment in 2024, said calls for service had edged down overall but are expected to rise as staffing improves, and outlined equipment and training items funded in the 2025 budget.
Chief Keller delivered a year‑end review at the Feb. 18 council meeting that highlighted departmental stability, an evidence audit, training improvements and ongoing recruitment.
Keller said the department completed a 100% evidence audit, upgraded storage for large items with public works help, and participated in a Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Program (LEMAP) review that identified steps toward accreditation. He also described increased training activity and said officers are required to complete minimum annual in‑service hours plus additional classes for leadership and specialty skills.
Calls for service in 2024 were slightly lower overall than 2023 but Keller attributed that partly to lower staffing earlier in the year; he said the department ended 2024 with fewer vacancies and expected call volumes to increase as staffing returns to higher levels. Keller summarized hiring activity: of 89 applicants for officer positions, 43 were put forward for interview screening, 24 proceeded into background checks and four were hired during 2024. The department reported being about 1.39 officers per 1,000 residents, below national averages.
Keller listed 2025 priorities and approved budget items: completing another evidence audit, implementing a digital evidence intake process, replacing rifles on a phased basis, acquiring breaching tools and low‑lethality 40mm launchers, adding ballistic plate carriers, increasing the training budget and pursuing leadership development and a five‑year strategic plan. He also said staff will continue to address fleet and facility upgrades and improve internal budget tracking.
Why it matters: Staffing levels, equipment and training affect the department's ability to respond to more time‑intensive calls for service and to meet accreditation and evidence‑management standards; council and community members discussed recruitment and budget tradeoffs in followup comments.
