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Mesquite police chief cites decline in Part 1 crimes, outlines facility improvements
Summary
Police Chief Pels told council the department closed the fiscal year with a $11.3 million budget, a 17% drop in Part 1 crimes, 44 sworn officers and multiple facility upgrades underway including detention center and evidence storage improvements.
Chief Pels presented the Mesquite Police Department annual report at the Jan. 13 council meeting, summarizing staffing, crime statistics and facilities work.
Pels said the department’s FY2024–25 budget was $11,325,939 and that Part 1 crimes — the FBI-defined major offenses such as aggravated assault and burglary — were down about 17% from the prior year. Pels described 44 sworn officers, roughly 70 total employees across divisions, and noted that 11 sworn positions are funded outside the city’s general fund through grant programs.
The chief highlighted declines in major crimes alongside increases in noise complaints (which he linked to vacation rental activity) and described the department’s operational tempo: about 16,138 patrol calls for service; 175 felony arrests and nearly 678 misdemeanor arrests. He briefed council on detention-center remodel work (new holding cells, expanded evidence storage, laundry and kitchen upgrades) and said the justice facility substantial-completion walk was scheduled for Feb. 2. Dispatch handled about 48,949 calls in the year, he reported.
Pels also discussed technology and training investments — drones for traffic pattern analysis and VR training for use-of-force and less-lethal scenarios — and said the department was adding a second victim-advocate position and other community-focused resources.
No council action was associated directly with the report; it was presented for information and posted as part of the department’s public records.
