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Port Hueneme police report 2025 crime down nearly 10%; department adds second K‑9 and expands youth programs
Summary
Police Chief presented a 2025 year‑end report showing a 9.73% decline in Group A offenses, zero homicides, addition of a second K‑9 and expanded juvenile diversion and traffic units. The council also issued a retirement proclamation for Detective Roki Lopez.
The Port Hueneme Police Department on April 6 reported a drop in overall reported crimes and described new staffing and program investments intended to sustain public safety gains. Police Chief Federico told the City Council that Group A offenses fell 9.73% in 2025, with crimes against persons down 2.36% and crimes against property down 10.18%.
“The vision is leading our community’s efforts in safety, enrichment, and engagement,” Chief Federico said as he reviewed staffing, technology and community programs that he credited for the improvements. He listed department staffing at 24 sworn officers, 13 professional staff and five reserves at the end of 2025 and highlighted new capabilities added last year.
The department has added a second K‑9, named Gator, and expanded its juvenile diversion program and traffic unit. Chief Federico described the K‑9 deployments and ORT (organized retail theft) operations as contributing factors to higher arrests for weapons and larger numbers of theft reports, while noting those enforcement efforts are intended to deter repeat offending. He also said the department’s average response times remain competitive, and fatal crashes were at zero for a second consecutive year.
The report said grant funding totaled about $535,000 in 2025, including an ORT grant that reimbursed roughly $404,000 in overtime and operations; staff also cited a JAG grant and other state grants supporting tobacco and cannabis enforcement and officer wellness programs.
Chief Federico presented annual compliance items required by the Department of Justice and related laws: transfers to immigration authorities (zero), deaths in custody (zero), civilian complaints (two, neither sustained), and use‑of‑force reportable incidents (zero). He credited recruitment, screening and training for reducing complaint and use‑of‑force rates.
The council also honored Detective Roki Lopez with a retirement proclamation. Lopez, recognized for more than 20 years of service including work on crimes against children and as a field training officer, told the council it was an honor to mentor younger officers.
What’s next: Chief Federico said staffing remains a priority for 2026 and that the department would continue to seek grants and community support to sustain programs including juvenile diversion, traffic enforcement and canine operations.
