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Desert Hot Springs Police present 2025 annual report; council receives it unanimously
Summary
Police Chief Shaw presented the department27s 2025 annual management report showing small declines in overall crimes against persons and property and notable operational metrics (new hires, dispatch call volumes, NIBRS certification); council praised the department and voted unanimously to receive the report.
Chief Shaw presented the Desert Hot Springs Police Department27s 2025 annual management report and highlighted both crime trends and staffing changes.
The chief said "overall, crimes against persons were down 1% for 2025 compared to 2024," and that specific categories showed larger movement: homicides were down 33%, robbery down 25% and vehicle theft down 25% in property categories. He also said the department recorded a notable rise "in one category of cases" of 275%, increasing to 15 cases in 2025 from 4 in 2024; 11 of those cases were determined to be unfounded and four victims stopped cooperating with investigators.
Operational metrics included a reduction in traffic stops (from 2,993 in 2024 to 2,883 in 2025), a 15% increase in citations issued, an 8% increase in arrests, and dispatch volumes of 18,959 911 calls and 32,437 non-emergency calls in 2025. The department hired nine sworn officers in 2025, launched a revived police explorer program and recognized its first graduating class; Chief Shaw said several volunteers and students contributed substantial service hours to records and property divisions.
Council members praised the department27s work and encouraged the city to publicize the report. Council member Gardner suggested broader distribution and a press release to highlight the improved statistics. A motion to receive the Police Department2725 annual management report was made and passed unanimously.
What happens next: The report is available on the city council agenda materials; council directed no additional formal action at this meeting but indicated support for continued staffing and public communication of the findings.
