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Chief Chris Vallejo: Topeka crime down nearly 10% in 2025, department releases annual report
Summary
Topeka Police Chief Chris Vallejo presented the department's 2025 annual report, saying overall crime fell almost 10% versus a five-year rolling average, with violent crime down about 4.5% and property crime down roughly 10.5%; he credited targeted enforcement and community policing.
Chief Chris Vallejo, of the Topeka Police Department, presented the department's 2025 annual report at a city press conference, saying the department posted an overall crime decline of nearly 10% compared with a rolling five-year average. "Overall crime rates were down almost 10% with violent crimes down almost 4 and 1/2% and property crimes at about 10 and 1/2% drops," Vallejo said.
Vallejo described the report as a comprehensive "CEO-style" overview designed to help residents who open it understand what the department does, how it operates and who is involved. He stressed the department compares the latest year to a five-year rolling average to reduce volatility in year-to-year trends.
On tactics, Vallejo credited targeted enforcement and community engagement. He highlighted the PAC (police and community together) team and community policing officers, saying concentrated work in high‑impact locations and partnerships with neighbors have helped gather intelligence and reduce gun violence. "We're very data driven and we're evidence based," he said, urging continued focus on concentrated offenders and disruption of crime patterns.
In response to questions, Vallejo said the department is pursuing a strategic crime plan and has issued a request for proposals to develop a three‑year strategy focused on violent crime; once completed, the plan will be presented to the governing body for approval and will include community input. He also reported staffing of roughly 278 sworn officers against an authorized funding level of 285, noting officers currently in the academy are included in that total and that the department could reach full authorized strength by the end of the year.
Why it matters: The department's published methodology and the report's availability online let residents review trend lines, five‑year highs and lows, and the specific breakdowns Vallejo cited. The chief emphasized that crime statistics reflect both police tactics and community cooperation, and he framed forthcoming planning and staffing changes as steps to sustain recent improvements.
What's next: Vallejo said the final strategic crime plan will be brought before the governing body for consideration after the RFP process, and he indicated continued emphasis on community engagement and evaluation to maintain downward trends.
