On behalf of the Anderson Police Department, I would like to present this annual report for 2022. This report will provide an overview of our police department’s crime statistics, arrest statistics, and staffing levels. The purpose of this report is to provide a snapshot of the incredible work done by the men and women of the Anderson Police Department. Although this report breaks down statistical information, it does not capture the courageous and hard work our officers do daily. The information provided here is a statistical comparison of crime data collected within our city and offers a perspective of the crime that occurs within the City of Anderson. Data for the report is consistent with the numbers and percentages provided to the Department of Justice.

As expected, after the COVID-19 pandemic, our crime statistics are up from 2020 to 2021. This increase in crime is not a surprise due to how our city and country were in lockdown, schools were closed, and people working from home and all around were not getting out or being social. A five-year comparison of part 1 crimes gives the best overall summary of our year-end situation. In comparing 2022 to 2019 and 2018 before the pandemic, our part one crime statistics are less. In the wake of the current status of our ever-changing justice system, jail closures, lack of district attorney filings on our cases, and the general decriminalization of so many penal code statutes, it is impressive to watch our officers stay committed to keeping our city safe and thriving.

We must recognize that although many things are stacked against law enforcement, our officers remain committed and work tirelessly with positive morale. We continue to fill specialty assignments and grow our department in numbers and specialty assignments. We have focused on our detectives division and made sure we structure our department to ensure we are victim-focused. My priority is to ensure that our officers are here to fight for and speak for the victims in the cases we work.

We continue to staff our Problem Oriented Policing Unit (P.O.P.), traffic division, canine officers, drone team, crime scene investigators, Multi-Agency S.W.A.T. member, and work with our city code enforcement to combat blight and other quality of life crimes and safety issues.

All of this would not be possible without the continued support from our City Council and City Manager, along with the positive working relationship with the other City of Anderson departments. Also, the passing of Measure “A” sales tax initiative by our incredibly supportive citizens has made all of this possible and helped us build one of the premier agencies in the north state. Without a doubt, this support and all these programs contribute to the continued success of combating crime and keeping the City of Anderson a safe place to live, work, and play.