Fort Smith police chief reports that crime rates were down, training up in 2023

Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker said it is evident that previous collective efforts and investments in the Fort Smith Police Department are making a difference across the department and within the community.

Baker told members of the Fort Smith Board of Directors during a Tuesday (May 28) study session that efforts to secure a dedicated funding stream for the department resulted in a nearly 25% pay increase for sworn personnel that was implemented in July 2023.

“This vote of confidence led to full staffing and improved retention department-wide, and it allowed us to more fully commit to the strategic initiatives, training programs, and community-focused operations that were established in previous years,” Baker said in the FSPD annual report.

He said the changes in the department and the additional funding contributed to the 13.35% reduction in overall crime in 2023, a year in which there were 4,912 Part 1 offenses compared to the previous year’s 5,669. The total was down more than 17% from the five-year average and down 16% from the 10-year average, Baker said.

For the year, there were five homicides, 139 sexual assaults, 782 aggravated assaults and 57 robberies for a total of 983 Part 1 offenses against a person. There were 17 arsons, 491 burglaries, 3093 thefts and 328 motor vehicle thefts, for a total of 3,929 Part 1 offenses against property.

The FSPD Training Unit surpassed previous records by accumulating more than 39,000 hours in professional development in 2023, with specialized training in leadership, crisis intervention, and de-escalation techniques, the report said.

“Our SWAT and Crisis Response Teams (CRT) have maintained operational readiness and effectiveness, embodying our strategic approach to critical incident management and negotiation, thereby ensuring the safety and security of our community in high-stakes situations,” Baker said.

The department came in more than $2 million under the 2023 budget of $26.534 million with expenditures totaling $24.53 million for the year. Of those funds, 33% were spent on patrol operations, 15% on retirement, 14% for support services, 12% on investigations and 6% on administrative services and communications.

The Office of Professional Standards, which conducts investigations into allegations of misconduct or criminal conduct by FSPD employes, serious breaches of departmental integrity and complaints, conducted 583 investigations in 2023, compared to 553 in 2022 and 655 in 2021. Of the investigations, 66 internal complaints were investigated with 18 sustained, and 31 citizens complaints were investigated with six sustained, the report states.

There were 418 community relations events in 2023, up from 390 in the previous year, and 62,038 total citizen contacts in the year. The FSPD Citizen’s Police Academy hit a milestone with the 50th class completing the intensive 11-week program.

“We also opened up our inaugural Public Safety Cadets chapter. The twice-monthly program shows youths from ages 16-20 what first responders do while bolstering their interest in our profession as a possible future career. It also teaches the value of being good citizens through community service and making good choices,” the report noted.

In 2023, the Crisis Intervention Unit had three officers and one peer recovery support specialist and was led by a sergeant. From 2022 to 2023, the unit had a 117% increase in service calls, the report states. The unit diverted 114 individuals away from legal proceedings toward supportive assistance and 796 individuals were referred for mental health treatment, according to the report.

During 2023, the Criminal Investigations Division was assigned 3,803 cases and cleared 3,397 cases for an average clearance rate of 89.32%.

In 2023, 29 communications operators answered 175,845 calls, including 65,924 emergency 911 calls. Of those, 75,976 were for patrol, 15,296 were for fire and 8,198 were for animal services.

“As we move forward into 2024, the Fort Smith Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to enhancing public safety, leveraging advanced technologies, and fostering community trust. Our strategic initiatives for the upcoming year are designed to address emerging challenges and capitalize on innovative opportunities,” according to the report.