Middleton police report shows drops in person and property crimes; department swears in new officer, promotes first detective and honors lifesaving response

On Feb. 19, 2025, the Middleton City Council received the Middleton Police Department's 2024 annual report and held a series of personnel ceremonies, including the swearing-in of a new officer, a promotion to the department's first detective, and an award presentation for a lifesaving field response.

Chief Smith told the council that person crimes totaled 197 in 2024, down from 210 in 2023 (about a 6% decrease), and that property crimes totaled 93 in 2024, which he described as roughly a 30% decrease from 2023. Chief Smith also said the department is "fully staffed on paper" after recent hires, though two new officers are still in training.

The department highlighted operational changes and investments the chief said have freed officer time and supported patrol visibility. Those include new evidence-processing equipment the council authorized earlier, which the chief said reduces time officers spend on desk work, and a new city kennel that has reduced travel to Nampa for animal custody. The chief linked improved staffing and visible patrol presence to reductions in some crime categories.

During the meeting the council swore in Jordan Landeras as a Middleton police officer. Landeras recited the oath of office on the council floor, affirming to uphold the U.S. Constitution, the constitution of Idaho and the laws and ordinances of the City of Middleton.

The council also held a promotional ceremony for Erica Robinson, who was sworn in as the department's first detective. Robinson took the oath and was recognized by Chief Smith and other department officials.

Officer Miguel Gonzalez was publicly commended for his response to a shooting at Jackson's gas station on Oct. 1, 2024. Sergeant Austin Roberts, who was on scene that night, described Gonzalez's actions and said, "In our line of work, seconds equal life and death." Roberts and other supervisors pushed Gonzalez's nomination for a lifesaving award; Chief Smith read a letter from the American Police Hall of Fame notifying Gonzalez that he would receive the organization's lifesaving award and three medals.

The police presentation and ceremonies were followed by a brief recess for photographs.

Details from the department's slides and remarks: the chief compared multi-year call and crime statistics, noting seasonal spikes in summer months and an overall increase in calls for service since 2020 tied to community growth. He said the department hired officers in 2023 and 2024 and expects patrol staffing to reach operational levels as recent hires complete training.

No ordinances or policy changes were adopted during the presentation; the items were informational and ceremonial on the council agenda.

The council did not record a roll-call vote for the swearing-in or promotion; the swearing-in and promotion were performed on the council floor as part of the meeting agenda.