The BPD annual crime report was released by the BPD and City of Billings this week revealing a marked decrease in both aggravated assaults and non-aggravated in 2022 and a drop in gun offenses as well. This is amazing and encouraging news considering the statewide increase of fentanyl seizures .

In fact, the report states there were 954 drug crimes in Billings in 2022 which is the lowest in the past ten years which is great news considering there has been an 11,000% increase in fentanyl seizures statewide, according to AG Knudsen. In addition, Billings PD reports drug offenses fell in the city for the fourth year straight.

The Public Safety Mill Levy provided $2,450,000 to increase Billings Police Department staff.
The funding provides for the following employees as well as the equipment and training required to prepare them to serve the City of Billings.
• 12 sworn officers
• 7 Community Services Officers
• 5 Identifications and Evidence Staff
• 1.5 Support Services clerical staff
BPD took a methodical approach to adding personnel and was staffed at 162 of 167 authorized sworn officers and 30 of 39.5 civilian staff.
Our employees are given great public trust and are carefully selected and put through background in- vestigations.
Adding staff requires not only preparing new employees to work, but making sure they have work space — be that in a patrol vehicle or in an office. There are also practical necessities that must be ad- dressed, ranging from uniforms to computers with required software.