Shelton police present 2025 annual report, cite staffing changes, camera cases and training gains
May 13, 2026 | Shelton, Mason County, Washington
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Police Chief Chris Costet delivered Shelton Police Department's 2025 annual report at the May 12 study session, summarizing staffing changes, crime trends, camera-system outcomes and professional-standards findings.
Chief Costet (S6) said the department lost three personnel in 2025 and hired four new staff, and highlighted awards and training milestones. He reported two homicides for the year, noting one case has been adjudicated and the other remains with the prosecutor's office. The chief also said the department handled roughly 11,000 calls for service in the year and wrote approximately 1,760 reports.
On technology and investigations, the chief said the city operates 12 active license-plate ("Flock") cameras and recorded about 38 Flock-related cases that supported arrests and investigative assists, including recoveries of stolen vehicles and license plates. Costet emphasized the investigatory value of the camera program while acknowledging public concerns raised about camera proximity to schools; he said there was no evidence in Shelton that Flock data had been improperly shared with external agencies and that any future distance-based rules likely would come from the state Attorney General's office.
The department also described internal-practices changes: a shift from paper to digital case-tracking temporarily reduced reported public-disclosure requests and the records division is moving to new software to improve tracking. On professional standards, presenters said the department logged one elevated internal-affairs matter that was sustained and led to retraining, recorded 12 use-of-force incidents (none resulting in serious injury), and reported four vehicle pursuits. The presenters said they will continue training and policy reviews and confirmed the reports will be posted online.
Community programs highlighted in the report included a Spanish-language citizens academy (about 50 participants), the Shop with a Hero program (a $5,000 retailer donation noted), and a community debit-card program that allows officers to provide small-dollar assistance to residents.
Why it matters: the report sketches operational trends for local policing — staffing stability, the investigative value of camera systems, internal oversight steps, and community outreach programs — and flagged items (one sustained internal-affairs case; evidence-handling concerns) the department says it is addressing through retraining and policy review.
The council thanked the presenters and confirmed the reports will be posted online for public access.
Chief Costet (S6) said the department lost three personnel in 2025 and hired four new staff, and highlighted awards and training milestones. He reported two homicides for the year, noting one case has been adjudicated and the other remains with the prosecutor's office. The chief also said the department handled roughly 11,000 calls for service in the year and wrote approximately 1,760 reports.
On technology and investigations, the chief said the city operates 12 active license-plate ("Flock") cameras and recorded about 38 Flock-related cases that supported arrests and investigative assists, including recoveries of stolen vehicles and license plates. Costet emphasized the investigatory value of the camera program while acknowledging public concerns raised about camera proximity to schools; he said there was no evidence in Shelton that Flock data had been improperly shared with external agencies and that any future distance-based rules likely would come from the state Attorney General's office.
The department also described internal-practices changes: a shift from paper to digital case-tracking temporarily reduced reported public-disclosure requests and the records division is moving to new software to improve tracking. On professional standards, presenters said the department logged one elevated internal-affairs matter that was sustained and led to retraining, recorded 12 use-of-force incidents (none resulting in serious injury), and reported four vehicle pursuits. The presenters said they will continue training and policy reviews and confirmed the reports will be posted online.
Community programs highlighted in the report included a Spanish-language citizens academy (about 50 participants), the Shop with a Hero program (a $5,000 retailer donation noted), and a community debit-card program that allows officers to provide small-dollar assistance to residents.
Why it matters: the report sketches operational trends for local policing — staffing stability, the investigative value of camera systems, internal oversight steps, and community outreach programs — and flagged items (one sustained internal-affairs case; evidence-handling concerns) the department says it is addressing through retraining and policy review.
The council thanked the presenters and confirmed the reports will be posted online for public access.
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