Livingston Police Department reviews staffing, K-9 unit and training in public presentation

Chief Wayne Harn on Thursday presented a year-in-review of the Livingston Police Department to the City Commission, outlining operations, staffing and community programs and saying the department responded to 8,583 calls for service in 2024.

Harn said the department generated 869 investigative reports in 2024, made 242 adult arrests and 12 juvenile arrests, conducted 1,228 traffic stops and completed 202 accident reports. He told commissioners that forgery and fraud reports have increased and the department added a second detective position this year to help handle complex investigations.

"The most valuable asset that the Livingston Police Department has, hands down, are the men and women that make up the police department," Harn said. He described the department's mission and core values (integrity, honor, respect and trust) and noted that the assistant chief and the chief continue to respond to calls when staffing requires it.

Harn and Assistant Chief Andrew Emanuel reviewed specialty units and training. The department operates two county-serving K-9 teams certified by the North American Police Work Dog Association; the canines are used for narcotics detection, tracking, building searches and handler protection. Harn also described the school resource officer program and monthly training that includes firearms, tactical casualty care, defensive tactics, de-escalation and multi-agency active shooter exercises.

Commissioners asked about juvenile referrals and staffing. Commissioner Major asked whether the juvenile arrest numbers were comparable to other municipalities. Harn said the number of juvenile referrals is similar to recent years and that most juvenile matters are not custodial arrests.

On staffing, Harn said the department is close to fully staffed for sworn officers but still has openings in dispatch and a vacant sergeant position. He asked the public to consider dispatch careers and noted the city provides replacement garbage cans and other municipal services.

Public commenters and commissioners thanked the department for community engagement events including canine demonstrations, National Night Out, the Special Olympics law enforcement run and Operation Christmas Caring, in which officers delivered gifts to 108 families and 257 children last season.

The presentation closed with commissioners and residents praising the department's outreach and training programs and repeating a shared interest in supporting recruitment for dispatch positions.