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Maplewood police chief outlines budget priorities, says department is fully staffed and highlights technology investments
Summary
Chief Beardman presented the police department’s budget overview, emphasizing staffing gains, an evidence/records hire, planned FTE changes, new technology (20-camera flock network, expanded drone authority, in‑house digital forensics), and reported substantial multi-year reductions in some crime categories.
Maplewood — Chief Beardman presented the Maplewood Police Department’s 2025 budget overview on Nov. 10, telling the City Council the department is now fully staffed and that the budget prioritizes staffing stability, officer wellness, performance metrics and partnerships.
Beardman said the department handled roughly 36,000 calls for service annually and expects 37,000–38,000 by year-end. He described two targeted staffing changes recommended by a prior study: adding one administrative sergeant (a new FTE line) and creating an evidence and records technician position (obtained through internal restructuring). The chief also noted the department is authorized to host two embedded social workers funded by the county and currently has one in place.
Beardman highlighted technology and operational investments: a citywide 20-camera 'flock' safety camera network expected to come online soon, expanded UAV drone operations under FAA beyond‑line‑of‑sight authorization, a mobile command van used frequently for deployments, and new in‑house digital forensics capabilities (Cellebrite and Clearview AI) that speed investigations. He also described a recent focus on transparency — including two audits (body camera and juvenile-justice compliance) that returned no negative findings — and leadership development and wellness initiatives intended to reduce long-term occupational health risks.
"For the first time since 2010, Maplewood police, as of tonight, are fully staffed," Beardman said, noting recent hiring (seven officers, three community service officers, and two sergeants sworn in that evening) and the results of a staffing study. He told the council that, looking across a four‑year span, the department has seen notable declines in categories such as auto theft and theft‑from‑auto and that a grant‑funded auto‑theft detective unit achieved high clearance rates.
Council members praised the department’s recruitment and community engagement. Councilmember Cave called the presentation "way more impressive than I was expecting," and Councilmember Juneman and city staff thanked the chief for the progress. Councilmember Philip Asencio asked about filling the second social-worker position; Beardman said the county must present candidates but that the department is actively interviewing.
Beardman summarized revenue sources that offset costs — including grants and partnerships — and estimated 2025 revenue tied to these programs at $966,414.91, enabling some specialized roles (school liaison, traffic safety officer) without drawing from general staffing lines. He said the department reduced supply expenses by about 2% through streamlined purchasing.
The presentation closed with a forward look at sustaining staffing gains, expanding community engagement and continuing investments in wellness and technology. Beardman said council members could expect continued updates during the council’s budget process ahead of the 2026 budget adoption.
