Brown Deer police report sharp declines in several crimes and outlines NIBRS transition

The Brown Deer Police Department presented highlights from its 2025 annual report, reporting declines in several major crime categories and outlining operational workload and reporting changes.

The chief said burglaries decreased 57%, assaults were down 40%, property crimes fell 33% and motor vehicle thefts decreased 22% year‑over‑year; retail theft rose slightly compared with 2024 but remained substantially lower than in 2023. The department logged roughly 19,000 calls for service covering everything from traffic stops to abandoned vehicles and retail theft; the chief said calls and officer‑initiated activity have increased each year.

The report also outlined staffing and organizational structure (the chief reported 31 sworn officers, two full‑time civilian staff and a part‑time community service officer), code enforcement activity (395 complaints recorded; about 47% compliance after notice), and community engagement programs such as Citizens Academy and neighborhood watch. The chief said the department is accredited and preparing for a reaccreditation review in May.

Staff and trustees discussed whether increased call volumes tied to local commercial development will require additional officers; the board was advised staff will prepare a follow‑up presentation on staffing needs and the possible timing for a referendum.

The chief also explained the department's move from the UCR system to the National Incident‑Based Reporting System (NIBRS), noting NIBRS reports all offenses in an incident rather than only the single highest offense and that staff will provide comparisons so the community can understand historical trends under the different reporting systems.

Trustees thanked the chief for the report and discussed scheduling a follow‑up on staffing and budget implications.