Police chief highlights community engagement as calls for service rise in 2025 report

Hughson’s police chief presented an annual report at the Feb. 23 council meeting highlighting deployment, community engagement and statistics for 2025.

The chief said the department serves about 7,977 residents and that the department’s staffing includes four patrol deputies, one community resource deputy (Deputy Prasad) and one legal clerk (Sylvia Garza). The chief noted roughly 3,500 calls for service in 2025, of which 49% were self-initiated activity — proactive patrols, community events and area checks.

Statistics cited in the report included 81 adult arrests in 2025, an increase in traffic collisions from 31 to 47 (property-damage collisions), an increase in traffic collisions with injury from 13 to 18, and 15 DUI investigations in 2025 compared with seven the year prior. The chief said response-time averages were generally stable and that more complex incidents can take longer due to investigative steps.

The chief emphasized community-oriented policing and partnerships with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office for specialized teams (SWAT, air support, bomb, major-accident investigation, drone and canine), and noted ongoing programs such as National Night Out and school-based mentorships. He said the department will expand advanced training for deputies and continue community engagement efforts.

Council members asked whether population growth in nearby Parkwood accounts for the increase in calls for service; the chief said location-specific analysis would be required and directed deputies to log their activities consistently for accountability and more accurate statistics.