The Arlington Police Department has released its 2022 Annual Report, which provides a comprehensive look at the department's achievements, new initiatives, and crime statistics from the past year. It also highlights different units within the department to give residents a better understanding of how their police department works.

Highlights of the 2022 report include:

• In 2022, overall crime was down 3.3 percent from the previous year. Violent crime rose slightly at 0.4 percent. 

• The department launched a new unit called the NIBIN Engagement Team (NET), which is taking a fresh, intelligence-driven approach to reducing gun violence in the community. Using a federal database called NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistics Information Network), NET creates sophisticated profiles that help connect weapons and individuals to incidents involving guns. 

• The department expanded its Behavioral Health Unit from two full-time employees to 12. This is a hybrid unit made up of specially trained officers and non-sworn licensed clinicians who respond together to incidents that have a mental health component.

• To help boost recruiting efforts, the department launched a lateral program for officers from outside agencies who wish to join APD. The department also created new pathways for former military and current APD detention officers / police service assistants to be accepted into the APD Basic Police Academy. 

"I encourage our residents to read this report and learn more about all the ways APD serves and protects this community," said Chief of Police Al Jones. "We will always embrace opportunities to learn and grow, but I remain exceedingly proud of the courageous and compassionate work being done every day by APD."

You can view the full 2022 Annual Report by visiting the Arlington PD website.