{
  "title": "Police annual reports, year over year",
  "updated": "2026-10-02",
  "note": "Each figure is printed in the Altoona Police Department's own annual report and links to the report and page it came from. The reports are the department's claims, not independent verification. A blank cell means that report does not state the figure (or, for 2025, that the pages this site has transcribed do not), never zero. Where two reports measure a thing differently, the row says so and the figures are not compared. Nothing here says what any program or camera caused.",
  "reports": [
    {
      "id": "2023",
      "label": "2023 report",
      "title": "Altoona Police Department 2023 annual report",
      "pages": 23,
      "availability": "Released by the department in response to a public-records request (see Records requests). Not posted online; this site lists figures from it, not the report or its photos.",
      "source_url": null,
      "source_file_sha256": "95f65192c218279498fff88b47078226c0f3435b98d1ca8906b64ddfcb3a69ca",
      "gap_label": "Not stated"
    },
    {
      "id": "2024",
      "label": "2024 report",
      "title": "Altoona Police Department 2024 annual report",
      "pages": 26,
      "availability": "Released by the department in response to a public-records request (see Records requests). Not posted online; this site lists figures from it, not the report or its photos.",
      "source_url": null,
      "source_file_sha256": "44138987fd8c101b889cdfb57bf32f171aba4f8b943975a62bf549f04a6543b5",
      "gap_label": "Not stated"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025",
      "label": "2025 report",
      "title": "Altoona Police Department 2025 annual report",
      "pages": null,
      "availability": "Published by the department online. This site has transcribed its \"Future of Policing\" feature and roster pages only.",
      "source_url": "https://canva.link/nkgg4z0rxtdva2x",
      "source_file_sha256": null,
      "gap_label": "Not in the pages on file"
    }
  ],
  "groups": [
    {
      "id": "calls",
      "label": "Calls and patrol"
    },
    {
      "id": "staffing",
      "label": "Staffing and programs"
    },
    {
      "id": "investigations",
      "label": "Investigations and records"
    },
    {
      "id": "technology",
      "label": "Technology and plate readers"
    }
  ],
  "measures": [
    {
      "id": "incidents",
      "group": "calls",
      "label": "Incidents",
      "comparable": false,
      "note": "The 2024 report calls its figure a 4% rise over 2023, but the 2023 report printed 34,113. Neither report defines an incident, so the two appear to count differently. Shown as printed, not corrected.",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "34,113 (up 19% from 2022, the report says)",
          "quote": "INCIDENTS 34,113 19% ... *PERCENTAGES REFLECT DIFFERENCE 2022 - 2023",
          "locator": "page 7"
        },
        "2024": {
          "display": "14,863 (up 4% from 2023, the report says)",
          "quote": "Incidents: 14,863;4% ... *Compared to 2023 data",
          "locator": "page 8"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "reports",
      "group": "calls",
      "label": "Reports",
      "comparable": true,
      "note": "",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "2,144",
          "quote": "REPORTS 2,144 3.9%",
          "locator": "page 7"
        },
        "2024": {
          "display": "2,234",
          "quote": "Reports: 2234;4%",
          "locator": "page 8"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "arrests",
      "group": "calls",
      "label": "Arrests",
      "comparable": true,
      "note": "",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "875",
          "quote": "ARRESTS 875 23.8%",
          "locator": "page 7"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "disputes",
      "group": "calls",
      "label": "Disputes",
      "comparable": true,
      "note": "",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "682",
          "quote": "DISPUTES 682 10.9%",
          "locator": "page 7"
        },
        "2024": {
          "display": "723",
          "quote": "Disputes: 723;5%",
          "locator": "page 8"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "owi",
      "group": "calls",
      "label": "OWI (drunk or drugged driving)",
      "comparable": true,
      "note": "",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "80",
          "quote": "OWI 80 -20%",
          "locator": "page 7"
        },
        "2024": {
          "display": "69",
          "quote": "OWI: 69;-14%",
          "locator": "page 8"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "accidents",
      "group": "calls",
      "label": "Accidents",
      "comparable": true,
      "note": "",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "630",
          "quote": "ACCIDENTS 630 -3.7%",
          "locator": "page 7"
        },
        "2024": {
          "display": "721",
          "quote": "Accidents: 721;14%",
          "locator": "page 8"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "mental-health",
      "group": "calls",
      "label": "Mental health crisis calls",
      "comparable": true,
      "note": "",
      "values": {
        "2024": {
          "display": "264 (up 22%, the report says)",
          "quote": "Patrol Officers have responded to 264 mental health crises this year, which is a 22% increase.",
          "locator": "page 12"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "multi-housing",
      "group": "calls",
      "label": "Apartments and other multi-housing",
      "comparable": false,
      "note": "2023 gives a share of patrol workload; 2024 gives a count of calls and a share of all calls. Different measures.",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "30% of patrol workload, in 1,317 multi-housing units",
          "quote": "A 30% portion of patrol’s workload is spent in Altoona’s 1,317 multi-housing units.",
          "locator": "page 11"
        },
        "2024": {
          "display": "1,689 calls for service, 10% of all calls",
          "quote": "Community housing remains the highest call volume for patrol officers, with a staggering 1,689 calls for service, which is accounts for 10% of the overall call volume.",
          "locator": "page 12"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "patrol-staffing",
      "group": "staffing",
      "label": "Patrol staffing",
      "comparable": false,
      "note": "The reports describe staffing in different terms, so this site does not compute a headcount from them. The 2024 report also says its administrative staff support \"40 cops\" (page 17).",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "42 patrol officers on 12-hour shifts, four teams",
          "quote": "In 2023, 42 Altoona Patrol Officers began a 12-hour work day; 0600-1800 and 1800-0600 shifts in four teams.",
          "locator": "page 6"
        },
        "2024": {
          "display": "Four patrol teams, each one sergeant and five officers, on 12-hour shifts",
          "quote": "There are four patrol teams, which are staffed with one Patrol Sergeant and five officers. Each team works a 12-hour rotation.",
          "locator": "page 7"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "new-staff",
      "group": "staffing",
      "label": "New positions or officers",
      "comparable": false,
      "note": "2023 lists new positions (crime-free multi-housing detective, criminal intelligence officer, evidence technician); 2024 counts newly hired officers. Different measures.",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "Three new positions, including a criminal intelligence officer",
          "quote": "2023 NEW POSITIONS ... CRIME FREE MULTI-HOUSING ... CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE ... CSI/EVIDENCE TECHNICIAN",
          "locator": "page 15"
        },
        "2024": {
          "display": "Four new officers",
          "quote": "Altoona Police Department welcomed four new police officers this year.",
          "locator": "page 18"
        },
        "2025": {
          "display": "First intelligence analyst position created in 2023, later joined by a data analyst",
          "quote": "In 2023, the Altoona Police Department created its first Intelligence Analyst position",
          "locator": "\"Future of Policing\" feature"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "school-officers",
      "group": "staffing",
      "label": "School resource officers",
      "comparable": false,
      "note": "2023 describes one elementary-school officer's hours; 2024 counts dedicated school resource officers for the first time.",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "One elementary-school officer: 712 hours with 2,850 students",
          "quote": "spends 712 hours with 2,850 students in our elementary schools",
          "locator": "page 11"
        },
        "2024": {
          "display": "Four dedicated school resource officers, the first year with four",
          "quote": "This is the first year we have had four dedicated School Resource Officers within the schools in the city of Altoona.",
          "locator": "page 12"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "community-events",
      "group": "staffing",
      "label": "Community events attended",
      "comparable": true,
      "note": "",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "120",
          "quote": "Our Officers attended 120 community events.",
          "locator": "page 18"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "traffic-grant",
      "group": "staffing",
      "label": "State traffic-safety grant",
      "comparable": false,
      "note": "2023 says about $40,000 is used each year; 2024 says the department is awarded $50,000 each year. The reports word it differently.",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "Nearly $40,000 a year",
          "quote": "Nearly $40,000 of grant money is used annually for traffic enforcement and education.",
          "locator": "page 8"
        },
        "2024": {
          "display": "$50,000.00 a year",
          "quote": "Each year we apply for the Governor Traffic Safety Bureau Grant and are awarded $50,000.00.",
          "locator": "page 11"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "detective-cases",
      "group": "investigations",
      "label": "Cases assigned to detectives",
      "comparable": false,
      "note": "2023 gives a share of all cases; 2024 gives a count and a share of reports started by patrol. Close, but not the same denominator.",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "25% of all cases",
          "quote": "25% of all cases are assigned to CID to be investigated",
          "locator": "page 13"
        },
        "2024": {
          "display": "536 cases, 24% of patrol reports",
          "quote": "Altoona detectives were assigned 536 cases this year, which is 24% of reports initiated by patrol.",
          "locator": "page 16"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "detective-arrests",
      "group": "investigations",
      "label": "Detective cases ending in arrest",
      "comparable": true,
      "note": "",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "78%",
          "quote": "78% of all cases investigated by CID end in arrest",
          "locator": "page 13"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "children",
      "group": "investigations",
      "label": "Crimes against children",
      "comparable": false,
      "note": "2023 counts suspects charged; 2024 counts crimes investigated. Different measures.",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "14 suspects federally indicted or felony charged",
          "quote": "Detectives federally indicted or felony charged 14 suspects on crimes against children",
          "locator": "page 13"
        },
        "2024": {
          "display": "21 crimes investigated; one case indicted in federal court",
          "quote": "our detectives investigated 21 crimes against children and one case indicted to federal court.",
          "locator": "page 16"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "retail-theft",
      "group": "investigations",
      "label": "Retail theft reports handled by the retail detective",
      "comparable": true,
      "note": "The 2024 report calls retail theft the most frequent crime in Altoona.",
      "values": {
        "2024": {
          "display": "219 reports, 10% of officer paperwork",
          "quote": "investigated a record number of retail thefts and walk-in incidents totaling 219 reports which equates to 10% of officer paperwork.",
          "locator": "page 17"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "records-requests",
      "group": "investigations",
      "label": "Records requests fulfilled",
      "comparable": true,
      "note": "",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "680",
          "quote": "This year, the Altoona Police Department fulfilled 680 records requests for the public, attorneys, and insurance companies.",
          "locator": "page 14"
        },
        "2024": {
          "display": "776",
          "quote": "There were 776 fulfilled records requests for the public, attorneys, and insurance companies.",
          "locator": "page 17"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "fingerprinting",
      "group": "investigations",
      "label": "People fingerprinted",
      "comparable": true,
      "note": "",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "295",
          "quote": "There were 295 people who utilized our fingerprinting services",
          "locator": "page 14"
        },
        "2024": {
          "display": "303",
          "quote": "This year, our staff fingerprinted 303 civilians for jobs, backgrounds, and personal reasons.",
          "locator": "page 17"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "rms-reports",
      "group": "investigations",
      "label": "Reports entered into the records system",
      "comparable": true,
      "note": "",
      "values": {
        "2024": {
          "display": "7,578",
          "quote": "they entered 7,578 reports into our Records Management System.",
          "locator": "page 17"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "flock-outcomes",
      "group": "technology",
      "label": "Figures printed under the Flock plate-reader heading",
      "comparable": true,
      "note": "The department's figures, with no period, definitions, or case list, so this site cannot check them. They are not evidence of what the cameras caused. Neither later report repeats them.",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "179 investigative leads, 156 suspects identified, 69 felony charges, 125 misdemeanors",
          "quote": "FLOCK License Plate Readers ... Misdemeanor,125 Investigative Leads, 179 Suspects Identified,156 Felony Charges, 69",
          "locator": "page 12"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "plate-readers",
      "group": "technology",
      "label": "Plate readers",
      "comparable": false,
      "note": "Descriptions, not counts. Camera counts the records state are on Research.",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "Flock plate readers listed as an intelligence-led policing tool",
          "quote": "Intelligence Led Policing: Avigilon cameras, Flock LPRs, Trimble: Data gathering, crime analytics, and investigation.",
          "locator": "page 4"
        },
        "2024": {
          "display": "Plate readers added to patrol-car dash cameras",
          "quote": "This year, Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) have been added onto patrol car dash cams.",
          "locator": "page 14"
        },
        "2025": {
          "display": "Says the 2022 pilot installed eighteen units",
          "quote": "Beginning In 2022, Altoona launched a pilot project installing eighteen ALPR units around the city",
          "locator": "\"The breakthrough: Automated license plate readers (ALPR)\" feature"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "real-time",
      "group": "technology",
      "label": "Live video and the real-time center",
      "comparable": false,
      "note": "Descriptions, not counts.",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "Body cameras, in-car video and drones can stream in real time",
          "quote": "Axon Body Worn Cameras, in-car videos, and drone deployments have the ability to stream in real time.",
          "locator": "page 12"
        },
        "2024": {
          "display": "Fusus by Axon, the ARTIC center, and a camera integration and registry program",
          "quote": "Fusus by Axon is the future of policing, and Altoona Police Department is the pioneer.",
          "locator": "page 15"
        },
        "2025": {
          "display": "Calls ARTIC the first real-time crime center in Iowa",
          "quote": "the Altoona Real‑Time Intelligence Center, ARTIC, was born, making it the first real‑time crime center in the state of Iowa.",
          "locator": "\"Future of Policing\" feature"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "drones",
      "group": "technology",
      "label": "Drones",
      "comparable": false,
      "note": "Descriptions, not counts.",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "Drone deployments can stream in real time",
          "quote": "Axon Body Worn Cameras, in-car videos, and drone deployments have the ability to stream in real time.",
          "locator": "page 12"
        },
        "2025": {
          "display": "Three automated drone docks on the police station roof for a Drones as First Responders program",
          "quote": "In 2025, Altoona began implementing its own Drones as First Responders program. Three automated drone docks were installed on the roof of the police department",
          "locator": "\"Drones as First Responders\" feature"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "patrol-car-cost",
      "group": "technology",
      "label": "Cost of one equipped patrol car",
      "comparable": true,
      "note": "",
      "values": {
        "2023": {
          "display": "$85,000",
          "quote": "one patrol car costs $85,000 to include technology and lighting.",
          "locator": "page 6"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "clearance",
      "group": "technology",
      "label": "Share of cases cleared, by year (department's chart)",
      "comparable": true,
      "note": "Printed only in the 2025 report, which presents it as the effect of intelligence-led policing. It gives no case counts and does not define cleared, so this site cannot check it and does not treat it as evidence of any effect.",
      "values": {
        "2025": {
          "display": "Crimes against persons: 48% (2022), 53% (2023), 55% (2024); property crimes: 28%, 28%, 26%. 2017 to 2022 average: 39% and 14%",
          "quote": "2017-2022 (Average): 39% 14% 2022 48% 28% ... 2023 53% 28% 2024 55% 26% Group A: Crimes against persons & Group B: Crimies against property",
          "locator": "\"Impact of intelligence-led policing\" chart"
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}