Richardson Police Department reports falling crime and staffing gaps; chief highlights mental‑health and technology priorities

The Richardson Police Department presented its 2025 annual review on March 2, telling the City Council about crime reductions, staffing shortfalls and investments in training, technology and crisis response.

Chief Gary Tittle said the department saw an overall reduction in violent and property crime and highlighted a near‑50% drop in combined violent/property incidents versus a prior baseline. Auto thefts dropped significantly (from 381 to 168), and burglary and property crimes also declined. The chief credited a combination of strategies including expanded training, community partnerships and technology such as Flock camera alerts.

Despite those gains, Chief Tittle said staffing remains a challenge. The department is authorized for 173 sworn officers and currently has 163 on payroll, with 17 in training; accounting for trainees and other absences reduces available field staffing further. Dispatch staffing also lags authorization. The chief described recruitment and retention efforts, an emphasis on more frequent academy cycles, and operational changes intended to reduce time‑to‑deploy for new hires.

The presentation listed organizational initiatives: hiring a crisis intervention program manager, adding a second canine team, improved towing logistics through a pilot app with Signature Towing, and a 'Handle With Care' protocol to notify schools when police encounters indicate a student may need trauma‑informed support. Chief Tittle also noted a proposal to implement real‑time crime center technology in future budgets.

Councilmembers asked for follow‑up on several items including Flock camera impact metrics, the department’s hiring pipeline and opportunities to partner with schools or colleges to create recruitment pathways for dispatchers, crime lab technicians and other positions. The chief said staff would provide more detail on national comparisons, the effect of Flock cameras on auto theft investigations, and on proposed mental‑health and officer wellness measures. He emphasized the department’s commitment to both crime reduction and officer support.

The council did not take action during the presentation but thanked the command staff and requested follow‑up materials.