Council hears former officers' concerns as members question police retention report

Former Reading police officer Emily Howell told council that officers had "brought multiple complaints and concerns to Mayor Bemmes" and confirmed she had been interviewed for the department report. Her comments came during the audience participation portion after council approved a motion to amend the agenda.

Council member Katie Eadicicco said she initially found the Crosden report "upsetting" but, after speaking with current and former officers, concluded the report did not interview all relevant staff and lacked specifics. "Because of this I feel that the report lacks information and I cannot in good faith say that this is a thorough and accurate report of our police department," she said. Eadicicco also questioned the city's spending on the study ($26,000) and said no council members had been interviewed despite phrasing in the report that implied council observations.

Public Health & Safety Chair Shelly Kroeger presented operational data for November and reported turnover statistics and cultural concerns inside the department: 1,077 calls for service, 29 auto accidents, 96 booking original charges and 150 total criminal charges that month, and 16 officers left between 2020 and 2025 (11 departures attributed to dissatisfaction with leadership). Kroeger told council that newer patrol officers with fewer than five years of service were not interviewed for the report and said tensions appear concentrated at the lieutenant/command-staff level rather than solely at the chief level.

Mayor Robert "Bo" Bemmes acknowledged that officers had brought complaints to him and said the city is reviewing the police retention report "and utilizing it to make the department better." Council did not take a formal action to change department leadership at the meeting, but several members said they would continue to gather officer input and follow up.