2023 Dubuque Police Department Annual ReportCopyrighted
March 4, 2024
City of Dubuque Action Items # 04.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: 2023 Dubuque Police Department Annual Report
SUMMARY: City Manager providing a copy of the 2023 Dubuque Police Department
Annual Report.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
2023 Dubuque Police Department Annual Report Supporting Documentation
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` _7 CHIEFS MESSAGE
Dubuque Police Chief Jeremy Jensen
The Dubuque Police Department is dedicated to delivering
exceptional police services, a commitment realized through
robust community partnerships. Our annual report serves as
a tool for both the department and the community, offering
valuable insights into trends, informing resource allocation
decisions, and highlighting opportunities for supporting our
community. What insights does the report offer? It underscores
Dubuque as a safe community, showcases the transparency
and dedication of our police department to excellence, and
reaffirms our unwavering commitment to serving the people
with integrity and care.
While it is impossible to prevent some
crimes from occurring, it is important
to know that the Dubuque Police
Department excels in solving crimes.
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Crime Resolution Comparison
Crimes Against Persons
■ 2022 National Clearance
NATIONAL
M
Crimes Against Property
■ 2023 Dubuque Clearance
The resolution rate of the Dubuque Police Department encompasses
cases that are suspended due to exhausted leads, thus halting further
investigation. It's important to note that the calculation method for the
national resolution rate may differ from ours.
In 2023, Dubuque Police resolved 77% of all
Crimes Against Persons committed in the
city. The national average for 2022 (the most
current on record via FBI data) was 37%.
In 2024, the Dubuque City Council approved the
Police Department's request to implement a license
plate reader camera system. The system will use 22
cameras installed at Dubuque's major intersections
and entry points to record vehicle license plate data.
The technology will serve as a force multiplier for the
department, helping authorities identify and track
wanted vehicles and aiding in criminal investigations.
Dubuque has one
of the most robust
camera systems in the
region, significantly
contributing to the
crime resolution rate.
PART I CRIMES
Crimes Against Persons per Year
Crimes Against Property per Year
300
267
1,350
1,319
250
253
1,300
190
226 225 232
1,250
1245 1,244
,
1,253
1,239
200
1,200
150
1,150
1,132
100
1,100
50
1,050
0
1,000
2019 2022 2023 5-Yr. Avg.
2019 2020 2021
2022 2023
5-Year Avg.
2022 2023
2022
2023
Aggravated Assault 125 171
Theft of Motor Vehicle
53
46
Sexual Assault 77 73
Arson
6
8
Robbery 22 7
Burglary
213
171
Murder 1 2
Theft
860
1,028
Total 225 253
Total
1,132
1,253
0
A robbery happens to a person and a burglary
happens to a place (home, garage, car, etc.).
From 2020 to 2023, reported sexual assaults in Dubuque decreased by over 30%.
Part I Crimes &t Totals per Year
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200 ■ . . .
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 5-Year Avg.
0 Crimes Against Persons 0 Crimes Against Property Total
Critical Incident Team
The Dubuque Police Department's Critical
Incident Team (CIT) aims to use the Secondary
Responder model to assist individuals who
may be experiencing a brain health or
substance abuse crisis. In situations where first
responders identify that the subject is dealing
with these issues, a secondary responder
trained to specifically deal with mental health,
substance abuse, and homelessness, provides
assistance and follow-up.
Community -Oriented Policing
The Dubuque Police Department subscribes
to the Community Oriented Policing strategy
of working directly with residents to address
crime, perceptions of police, and overall
community quality of life through positive
police interactions and relationship building
in the community. DPD's Community Policy
Division includes a bicycle patrol unit, School
Resource Officers, and a crime prevention
and public information unit.
V
Brain Health Calls by Year
)0
)0 743 766
)0 662
)0
) 0 451
)0
)0
)0
10
0
2021 2022 2023 2016-2020 Avg.
2023 School Resource Officer Activities
43 42
■ Mentoring 8& Classroom Talks
■ Criminal Charges
■ School Threats
■ Criminal Investigations
■ Diversions
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Calls for Service Arrests
Calls for service remain consistent across the five-year The arrest count includes arrests that are custodial, as well as
average. Because of the 24/7 nature of law enforcement, arrests when suspects were cited and released. This does not
Dubuque Police Department continues to respond to calls for include simple misdemeanor traffic violations. Arrests range
service ranging from nuisance calls to the Part I crimes listed from simple misdemeanors such as public intoxication to
in the chart on page 3. Class A felonies such as murder.
Calls for Service per Year Arrests per Year
57,000
56,000 55,695
55,000 54,367
54,000 53,445
53,000
52,000
51,000
5
50,000 0,047
49,000
48,000
47,000 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 5-Year
Avg.
Traffic Crashes by Year
1,650 1,624
1,609
1,600
1,550
1,510 1,509
1,500
1,450
1,406
1,397
1,400
1,350
1,300
1,250
2019
2020 2021 2022 2023 5-Year
Avg.
The heat map to the right illustrates the
locations of traffic crashes in Dubuque in
2023. The red areas represent locations of
more frequent traffic crashes.
3,500 3,208
3,000
2,876
2,734
2,589
2,534 2,465
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
'
0
2019
2020 2021 2022 2023 5-Year
Avg.
Traffic crashes consist of property damage, personal
injury, and fatality crashes. In 2023, there was one
fatality and 15 serious injury crashes. Overall, 200
injuries were reported in crashes. The most common
crash causations were speed and failure to maintain
control, which includes rear -end accidents.
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Use of Force
Dubuque Police Department policy states a Use
of Force Report (UOF) is to be applied under the
following circumstances:
All incidents requiring the application of force involving
the use of lethal or less -lethal weapons will be reported
in writing to the chief of police. A Reportable Use of Force
report will be submitted in all cases where an injury or
death results from, or is alleged to have resulted from,
actions by an employee of the department whether
through the use of lethal, less -lethal, or weaponless
physical force; or whenever physical force is used at
a level greater than soft hand techniques or simple
handcuffing.
Officers will file a use of force report to the chief of police,
through their immediate commanding officer, detailing
any incident in which the officer draws and displays a
departmental firearm. A use of force report will generally
not be required in instances where an officer has drawn
his/her weapon as a safety precaution only, such as
during a building search.
Use of Force Incidents by Year
300
250 239 246
221 208 223 217 226 226 219
200 188 199
150
100
50
0
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 10-Year
Avg.
2023 Percentage of Arrests Involving Use of Force
Arrests without Use of Force
93%
Arrests with Use of Force
7%
2023 Taser Deployment Et Voluntary Compliance
Voluntary Compliance Obtained
88%
Voluntary Compliance Not Attained
12%
2023 Domestic Assaults by Offense
3
■ Domestic Assault - No injury
■ Domestic Assault - Injury
■ Domestic Assault - Display of Weapon
■ Domestic Assault - Strangulation/Injury
0 Domestic Assault - Strangulation/No injury
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Shots Fired by Year
2s
16 ��
2019 2020 2021
13
2022
In 2023, the Dubuque Police Department responded
to seven incidents of shots fired. This is a significant
decrease since 2021. Reduction is credited to a
number of factors that include an extensive public
safety camera network and diligent police work.
16 Additionally, a Dubuque Police officer is assigned
as a Task Force Officer (TFO) to the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. In 2023, this officer
7 investigated 30 Federal firearms violations, which
included indictments in 23 of those cases.
2023 5-Year
Avg.
Dubuque Drug Task Force (DDTF)
The Dubuque Police Department is in a joint drug task
force with the Dubuque County Sheriff's Department.
While marijuana accounts for the majority of drug
investigations, opioids and drug overdoses have become
the most concerning.
In the past 20 years, methamphetamine was
the concerning drug. In 2023, there were no
methamphetamine labs reported or investigated.
However, the most concerning drug currently is Fentanyl,
which is now being found in all types of drugs and is
being made to look like common over the counter drugs
or even candy. Fentanyl was a contributing factor in all of
the opioid death cases.
Drug Investigations - 2023
General Investigations 323
Overdose Investigations 29
Opioid Death Investigations 7
Overdose Investigations 29
In addition to investigations, the
DDTF conducted 21 educational
presentations to the public.
The Dubuque Police
CALEA Department has
been accredited by
SINCE 1993 the Commission on
Accreditation of
Law Enforcement
Agencies (CALEA) since 1993. To retain accredited
status, department has to comply with 459 standards
in order to retain accredited status. Accreditation is
an important achievement because it tells the citizens
and persons dealing with the police department that
it is organized and operating consistent with best
practice professional standards.
C�
"RO" �SIONAL STANDARDe
All allegations of employee
misconduct or complaints made
against the Department, including
anonymous complaints, are
appropriately received, recorded
and investigated.
Complaints which are less
serious in nature, such as alleged
rudeness, tardiness, etc. are
referred to and investigated by the
employee's immediate supervisor.
Complaints of a serious nature,
such as, allegations of criminal
misconduct, corruption, excessive
force, breach of civil rights, or
ongoing negative behavior by
an employee are referred to the
Police Chief, Assistant Chief, or
Professional Standards Supervisor
for formal investigation.
In 2023 there were 40 complaint
cases completed. Thirty-four cases
were initiated by citizens, one was
initiated by an officer, and two
were initiated by DPD command
staff. Six cases rose to the level of
a Formal Investigation.
Thirty cases remained at the
Inquiry or Informal Complaint level.
Five of these cases were founded.
Thirty-five complaints were
for poor job performance. Two
complaints of excessive force were
submitted, both of which were
unfounded.
Thirty-one of 40 complaints were
deemed unfounded once the
investigation had concluded.
Due to the use of body worn
cameras and in -car camera
systems, Professional Standards
is able to accurately review most
officer/citizen interactions.
Dubuque Police Department
�� 563-589-4410 olice cit ofdubu ue.or
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www.cityofdubuque.org/police
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