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KDPS professional standards report shows decline in use-of-force incidents and highlights tech, training and policy changes
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Summary
Inspector Chuck Mason presented KDPSOffice of Professional Standards' annual report on April 14: 32 PCR complaints in 2025 (53 allegations), 377 use-of-force incidents in 2025 (none deadly), a 12% drop in force incidents since 2020, and a large decline in vehicle pursuits tied to technology and risk-assessment policies.
Inspector Chuck Mason of the Office of Professional Standards told the Citizens Public Safety Review and Appeal Board on April 14 that KDPS recorded 32 PCR complaints in 2025, comprising 53 distinct allegations, and that three complaints were withdrawn.
Mason said 377 incidents in 2025 involved use of force beyond compliant handcuffing, which he described as roughly 1 in every 358 calls for service and 1 in every 12 arrests; none of the 2025 incidents required deadly force. He also said the department has seen about a 12% decrease in use-of-force incidents over the 2020to2025 period and attributed declines to training, risk assessment and new technology.
"We have to have equipment that works," Mason said as he described the department's adoption of an Axon body-worn camera system and TASER 10 last year. He told the board that supervisors conducted "meaningful reviews" on 707 incidents in 2025 and that office staff are rewriting policy and procedure to shorten and clarify the manual.
On vehicle pursuits, Mason said 105 vehicles fled from officers in 2025 and the agency initiated pursuits in 26 of those cases; pursuits have fallen 72.7% since 2022. He credited tools such as the real-time crime center, license plate readers, FUSIS camera networks and drones, and described a low-speed "vehicle intercept" maneuver the department used 18 times in 2025 to limit high-speed chases.
A board member asked whether the reductions reflected fewer calls for service or other drivers. Mason said staffing levels have remained stable and reiterated that officers' risk assessments and available technology have reduced the need for pursuit or higher levels of force. Another board member noted that comparing percentage declines without showing calls-for-service lines could be misleading; Mason acknowledged that additional context could be useful in future presentations.
KDPS leadership also reported on hiring: the chief said the department began a hiring process with 117 applicants and reduced the list to 10 new hires; the department reported 10 recent conditional offers. Recruitment outreach was active April 8through April 22, with applications taken online.
Mason said the department will transition to new records-management and professional-standards reporting software in 2026 to improve data capture and transparency; he also said KDPS posts annual summaries and related charts on a department transparency page. He invited board members to review the packet and bring follow-up questions to a future meeting.
The board did not take a formal vote on policy changes at the meeting; Mason said several investigations remain open and that findings are sent to the chief for final determination.
