Ellensburg Police Department Reports 2024 Achievements

Every factual claim below was checked against the original public record. Source: original document ↗

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  Ellensburg Police Department (EPD) reported a 5% decrease in incident reports in 2024“• 16,018 incident reports filed (5% decrease from 2023).”
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  Ellensburg Police Department (EPD) reported a 67% drop in juvenile crime in 2024“During 2024, juvenile crime decreased by 67%, crimes of violence decrease 75% and the total individuals decreased by 56%, but we experienced a juvenile gang related murder.”
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  Ellensburg Police Department (EPD) presented their annual report to the City Council on March 3, 2025“2024 Annual Report Council Presentation Chief Ken Wade March 3, 2025 Introduction 2024 in review.”
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  The report noted 16,018 incident reports filed in 2024“16,018 incident reports filed (5% decrease from 2023).”
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  The report noted 20,234 incident reports filed in 2023“null”
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  The report noted an 8% increase in collision investigations“684 collisions investigated (8% increase).”
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  EPD documented a 191% increase in mental health referrals since 2015“In 2015, the Ellensburg Police Department made 171 mental health referrals. During calendar year 2024 that number has increased to 497, a 191% increase over 10 years and it is continuing to grow.”
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  EPD documented 497 mental health referrals in 2024“In 2015, the Ellensburg Police Department made 171 mental health referrals. During calendar year 2024 that number has increased to 497, a 191% increase over 10 years and it is continuing to grow.”
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  Suicide-related calls decreased by 35% from 2018 levels“In 2018, the highest year, the department responded to 148 suicidal calls. During 2024, we were down to 96 calls, a 35% decrease.”
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  EPD introduced new programs including the Crime Reduction Program“Crime Reduction Program Summary Community Survey – Survey of our community to assess police-community relations. Handle With Care Program – Program to improve child success in partnership with schools and counseling services. One part of a larger effort to deter juvenile crime into the future. Graffiti Abatement Program – Program to remove graffiti in partnership with Morning Rotary. High-Density Residential Project – Project to better understand the complexity of apartment living to reduce non-law enforcement calls for service giving control back to the management. Crime Reduction Program Summary Community Education Video Project – Program to better educate the community on law enforcement topics through short video presentations. Community Health & Safety Experience (CHASE) Program – Program to improve policing in the future, in partnership with CWU. This program will expose participants to the reality of todays policing through exposure to homelessness, mental health, substance abuse and our various partners. Through this program CWU students who qualify can receive work experience credits. This program is also open to non-student participants interested in a career in the criminal justice field. Community Impact Notification Program – Program to quickly respond to call trends through notification to”
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  EPD introduced new programs including the CHASE Program with Central Washington University“Community Health & Safety Experience (CHASE) Program – Program to improve policing in the future, in partnership with CWU. This program will expose participants to the reality of todays policing through exposure to homelessness, mental health, substance abuse and our various partners. Through this program CWU students who qualify can receive work experience credits. This program is also open to non-student participants interested in a career in the criminal justice field.”
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  EPD introduced new programs including the Handle With Care initiativeNot found in the source record — unverified.
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  EPD achieved full re-accreditation from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs“Re-Accreditation: The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs is the governing body responsible for accreditation of law enforcement agencies in Washington State to include state, local and tribal entities. Each year, accredited agencies are required to provide proof of practices on selected topics. Every four years, accredited agencies undergo an extensive evaluation by outside auditors to include an on-sight inspection and interview of employees. 2024 was EPD’s On-site inspection year. For the 3rd consecutive full evaluation 4-year cycle, we had no negative finding.”
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  EPD achieved full re-accreditation from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs for the third consecutive four-year cycle“For the 3rd consecutive full evaluation 4-year cycle, we had no negative finding.”
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  EPD achieved full re-accreditation from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs with no negative findings“For the 3rd consecutive full evaluation 4-year cycle, we had no negative finding.”