JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Jamestown Police Department has release their 2021 annual report and according to Jamestown Police Chef Scott Edinger, it was an “extraordinarily average” year.
The report discusses officer resignations, new sworn in officers, and staffing changes. Chief Edinger also reports on how the department has continued to navigate the coronavirus pandemic through the year.
“There was an enormous backlog of 2020 trials and judicial proceedings which were held in 2021. These late prosecutions created a strain on the officers and their schedules,” the report states. “There were also several officers who became ill with the COVID-19 virus, which created other scheduling hardships in keeping shifts adequately staffed. Fortunately, none of our officers suffered serious disease.”
The equipment and supply chain issues also continue to affect the department’s day to day operations.
Reportable offenses were up in 2021 compared to 2020 with 1,093. These are reports that are passed to the FBI. It was also reported that Possession of Drug Paraphernalia offenses also increased in 2021 with 65 reportable offenses compared to 40 in 2020.
In total, there were 14,680 total calls for service in 2021, up from 13,423 in 2020.
Reports from the K-9 Unit and School Resource Officer are also included.