By Sadie Hunter
Last month, the City of Noblesville released its year-end, annual report. It details major accomplishments from every city department and within the community during the past year. Each week, Current in Noblesville will be highlighting a portion of the report. To see the full report, visit bit.ly/2lDGclL.
Executive summary
Changes for 2017 include a new TAC shift. Traditional shifts have officers working 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. The department will be creating this additional shift to allocate personnel to match their workload curve and better serve the busiest call times for the city. In addition, NPD will adjust its “district model” of patrolling within the city. This model divides Noblesville into three areas. Rather than rotating districts, officers will be assigned to a specific district for at least one year as a permanent beat assignment. The city said this will allow officers to connect with residents on a more personal level and provide greater insight on crime trends and how to address them.
Department reorganization
With several retirements occurring, the department is promoting several new lieutenants and sergeants and adding 12 new officers to the police force. Two new data-driven positions will be a crime intelligence officer, who will focus on people, incoming tips and new information, and a crime analyst, who will concentrate on events and incidents that have already happened. In addition, the agency will create a new problem-oriented policing unit to be composed of four officers, who will focus on single issues at a time, like a rash of car break-ins.
Public engagement
Twelve new neighborhood crime watch groups were added in 2016. Neighborhood Watch programs are a means by which citizens can address immediate crime problems, focus on home security and build neighborhood cohesion.
Two, 12-week sessions were held in the spring and fall and included 28 citizens learning the various operations of the police department.
Department accomplishments
Dual accreditation: In 2016, the department added state-wide accreditation through Indiana Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (ILEAC).
Police explorer post: In July 2016, eight cadets from Noblesville Police Explorer Post 130 traveled to Flagstaff, Ariz., to participate and compete in the 2016 National Law Enforcement Exploring Conference, where they placed third overall in the category of Arrest and Search. Joining them were several NPD officers, who also serve as explorer counselors and mentors.
Incidents in 2016
- 23,588 calls for service
- 5,577 reports taken
- 1,073 arrests
- 6,726 traffic stops
- 243 fraud cases investigated
- 14 robbery cases investigated
- 95 burglary cases investigated
- 812 theft (larceny) cases investigated
- 48 motor vehicle theft investigations
- 182 K-9 calls for service
- 51 K-9 related arrests
- 4,421 parking tickets written
- 1,131 parking meter violations
