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Wylie Police chief reports staffing gains, falling major crimes and facility needs
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Summary
At a work session, Chief Henderson said the Wylie Police Department is authorized for 127 positions (78 sworn, 49 civilian, including 27 part‑time crossing guards), reported improved major‑crime and accident trends and outlined staffing, training and space needs including expanded locker rooms, digital forensics and evidence storage.
Wylie Police Chief Henderson presented a department overview during the council’s April 28 work session, reporting staffing, crime trends and facility needs.
Chief Henderson said the department is authorized for 127 positions, including 78 sworn officers and 49 civilian roles; he noted 27 of those civilian positions are part‑time crossing guards. He reported four current sworn openings, three cadets in the academy and one candidate preparing to challenge the state licensing test. The chief said the department has hired 17 new employees in the current budget year (some filling vacated posts) and is experimenting with additional recruiting test times to widen the applicant pool.
On crime and response data, the chief said major crimes measured per 1,000 population have declined in recent reporting intervals and that thefts were down about 30% from 2024 in the presented data. The department’s average response time for priority 1 calls was reported as 4 minutes and 14 seconds. The chief also noted a recent dip in major accidents and emphasized continued focus on red‑light and distracted driving enforcement; he said 81% of red‑light stop enforcement encounters involved commuters rather than residents.
Chief Henderson described investments in training (including mass‑casualty and active‑shooter tabletop and live exercises resulting from House Bill 33 requirements) and new software for scenario‑based training tied to city geography. He said the department participates in multi‑agency efforts on digital child‑exploitation investigations and that a joint press release with federal partners was expected.
Facility and logistics needs were a close: the chief said locker rooms, records, traffic unit workspace, digital forensics lab and overall evidence storage are constrained. He described shortfalls in locker rooms and shared storage space (uniforms stored in former reception areas and use of external shipping containers for overflow). Chief Henderson asked council to consider long‑term facility expansion or reconfiguration to house criminal investigations, digital forensics and traffic units.
Quote: Chief Henderson said the department’s average priority‑1 response time was "4 minutes and 14 seconds," and reported that theft calls have dropped by roughly 30% from 2024 in the department’s presented data.
What’s next: The chief and staff will continue recruitment, weekly training enhancements and coordination with public works on signal and intersection indicator lights aimed at improving traffic enforcement efficiency.
