Public Safety, Rockville Reports

Annual Police Report Highlights Crime Drop, Growth and Stronger Community Connections 

 The Rockville City Police Department marked 2025 with an overall 4.3% reduction in crime as it grew its ranks, expanded specialized units and reinforced its commitment to community policing, Chief Jason L. West wrote in the department’s newly released 2025 annual report. The report describes a department shifting “from a reactive law enforcement agency to one that proactively reduces crime and enhances public safety,” driven by data-informed policing, new initiatives and strong community partnerships. 

Growth was the defining theme of 2025, the chief stated. The department welcomed 13 new officers, bringing its total to 73 sworn officers and 26 civilian staff. It also added a new deputy chief of police and promoted one major, three lieutenants and four sergeants to strengthen its leadership team. For the first time in more than 50 years, RCPD redesigned its badge and unveiled new graphics on its marked cruisers to present a modern, professional image that reflects the department’s values. 

According to the report, officers made 552 arrests in 2025, served 371 warrants, and issued 1,790 traffic citations and 12,600 parking tickets, along with 25 criminal and civil citations. Under the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System, overall crime decreased 4.3% and serious crimes against people, property and society decreased 14.9%, with the report noting that, excluding trespass incidents, overall crime would have fallen 9.6% from the prior year. The average response time for priority calls for service was 6.04 minutes, underscoring an emphasis on timely, visible policing in neighborhoods across the city. 

Community engagement remained a top priority in 2025. The department expanded its Community Engagement Unit and continued to hold events and presentations throughout the year to meet residents where they are. RCPD partnered with Main Street to launch its first Neighborhood Safety Day, creating new opportunities for residents to connect with officers. RCPD also held an annual open house, National Night Out and a gun buyback event, which collected 303 firearms. 

RCPD’s work drew national attention when the International Association of Chiefs of Police featured the department in its IACP-TV film, “The Rockville Way,” highlighting recruitment, training and community-focused policing strategies. 

The report notes that progress made in 2025 laid the groundwork for new initiatives in 2026 as the department continues to build a safer, stronger Rockville. 

Learn more about the RCPD and its mission at rockvillemd.gov/police.