FY25 | Cedar Rapids Police Department Annual Report

CEDAR RAPIDS

DEPARTMENT

FY25 ANNUAL REPORT

A note from the chief

It is my honor to present the Cedar Rapids Police Department’s 2025 Annual Report. As Chief of Police, I take great pride in leading a high-functioning team of 227 dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to keep our city safe. Supporting their efforts are the dedicated dispatchers of our Joint Communications Agency, technicians in Records, SAFECR, mental health liaisons from Foundation 2, Volunteer Corps, and the team who keeps us rolling from Fleet Services. Our team’s commitment to excellence is evident in the results we achieved in 2025.

Our investigative and patrol divisions continue to earn your trust with thorough, professional work. Crime statistics reflect significant progress: incidents involving shots fired reached their lowest levels in a decade, and for the first time in recent memory, Cedar Rapids recorded zero traffic fatalities in 2025 — a milestone none of us have seen during our careers. Additionally, every homicide in the past five years has been successfully closed.

These successes are possible because of strong partnerships. The City Manager, Mayor, and Council have demonstrated steadfast support through funding and by encouraging forward-thinking strategies that future-proof our personnel, training, and equipment needs. Our combined vision ensures we remain prepared to meet evolving challenges.

Looking ahead, I am optimistic about the coming year. We will continue to build on these achievements, strengthen community relationships, and embrace technology in its many forms to enhance public safety.

On behalf of the entire department, I extend my sincere gratitude for your trust and collaboration. The support and engagement of our community are vital to our mission. Together, we will keep Cedar Rapids a safe and thriving city.

2025 CRIME STATS

Cedar Rapids Police submit the Department’s annual crime stats to the FBI. We also release this information for public review, transparency, and historical context of the condition of our community through a law enforcement lens. This year we’re highlighting that shots fired are even lower than 2024 — marking dramatic decreases. Efforts by our entire team to remove guns from the streets, address and re-direct violent behavior before firearms are drawn, and building strong cases for prosecutors is making our community safer.

2025

criminal investigations division

CAPTAIN CODY ESTLING, COMMANDER

CID has 37 staff members who investigate major crimes and conduct follow-up on complex cases. CID handles Part I crimes and operates through specialized units: Crimes Against Persons (including homicide, sex crimes, ICAC, youth services, and cold cases), Crimes Against Property (burglary, theft, and financial crimes), Narcotics and Vice, Criminal Intelligence, Mobile Assist Team (night investigations), Crime Scene Unit, and Property & Evidence. CID has cleared all homicide cases since 2021 and advanced cold case investigations. We’ve improved our use of technology, partnered with federal task forces, and executed numerous narcotics operations. CID performs at a high level through the work of highly trained, dedicated, and experienced investigators with the mission to provide excellent service to the citizens we serve.

Patrol Division

CAPTAIN DOUGLAS DOYLE, COMMANDER

Patrol Division units are the first to respond to emergency and non-emergency calls. They are the most visible division of the Department, and they offer a sense of security and trust within the city. Patrol has 97 officers assigned covering four shifts. Patrol Division is staffed by one Lieutenant and five Sergeants on each of the four shifts. Patrol officers can be assigned to parttime specialty positions. Currently 30 officers are Field Training Officers and 25 are certified bike officers. The Mobile Field Force consists of 11 patrol officers. Patrol officers can also be part of other specialties under the Community Service Division such as SRT, HDU, CNT, and Honor Guard. The Patrol Division is responsible for 24-hour coverage of 72 square miles and 135,358 residents. Patrol handled over 143,000 calls for service and made 15,196 traffic stops over the course of 2025. Officers worked 5,217 traffic accidents.

CALEA COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION FOR LAW Enforcement AGENCIES

The Cedar Rapids Police Department is a two-time CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) certified department. CALEA certification is completed on a four-year cycle and evaluates the Department’s compliance and performance across a wide range of measurable proficiencies. Every part of the Department is reviewed by independent law-enforcement professionals and only after showing proof-of-performance, are we given CALEA’s seal of approval.

Community Services Division

CAPTAIN CHARLIE FIELDS, COMMANDER

School Resource Officers

School Resource Officers provide safe, secure learning environments at nine local schools including: Polk Alternative, four Cedar Rapids high schools, three at College Community Campuses, and one at Kirkwood Community College.

Canine Unit

The Canine Unit has seven full-time handlers and one sergeant with canine partners. Six of them are Patrol/ Narcotics detection teams, one is a Patrol/Explosive Team, and one is a Tracking Team. The Canine Unit supports the operations of the other divisions within the Department. They conduct narcotics and explosive sweeps, article searches, tracking, apprehension and/or containment of wanted subjects and assisting with general Patrol functions.

Community Outreach Unit

The Community Outreach Unit is a full-time specialty unit with two officers and one sergeant. They are liaisons to the community, attend community events, conduct Citizen and Youth Academies, and engage in outreach and education in elementary schools. The unit’s Youth Fishing Program and Youth Golf Program both grew in 2025. They also partnered with CRFD on the summertime Heroes Camp.

Mental Health Unit

The Mental Health Unit consists of two officers and two Mental Health Liaisons from Foundation 2. Last year, they responded to 250 calls and conducted 4,587 follow ups — freeing time for patrol officers to remain engaged with other duties.

Safe-cr

ANNETTE LORENZ, MANAGER

Secure and friendly environments in cedar rapids

SAFE-CR collaborates with officers at all levels. They work closely with the three District Lieutenants and the CRPD Mental Health Team to address activity and connect community members with resources.

With every Founded Call for Service Notice, SAFE-CR provides a comprehensive list of community resources to ensure individuals have access to assistance that supports their social and economic well-being. By making these referrals, we help community members access services

Police Community Action Team

The Police Community Action Team (PCAT) has six full-time police officers and one Sergeant. Their primary focus is the reduction and suppression of youth violence within the community, emphasizing gun violence.

Specialty Units

Part-time and full-time time specialty Units in CSD include Traffic, Accident Reconstruction, Honor Guard, Hazardous Devices Unit (HDU), Crisis Negotiation Team, and Special Response Team. SRT served 34 high risk warrants and responded to 12 barricaded subjects. HDU responded to 19 suspected items with five confirmed device calls and conducted four drone operations.

that promote stability, equality, and opportunity. These efforts strengthen neighborhoods and foster safer, more inclusive communities.

From January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, there were 1,489 Founded Calls for Service of Chapter 22A which have affected 1,174 properties. Of the 22A Founded Calls for Service, 466 met the threshold of 22A and were deemed Nuisance Properties.

Administrative Operations

CAPTAIN RYAN ABODEELY, COMMANDER

The Cedar Rapids Police Department Administrative Operations Division implemented several innovative recruitment strategies to boost applicant numbers in 2025, achieving the highest levels in six years. These efforts align with national trends where police agencies are adopting new techniques to attract candidates. The Department partnered with local media outlets to showcase the positive side of a career in law enforcement. Officers also attended numerous recruiting events around the area to talk with potential candidates. A series of internally-produced videos highlighted officers who also served in the US military — a nod to Veterans Day and a helpful addition to our recruitment.

Cedar Rapids once again hosted the Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy with 13 recruits. Seven were from CRPD and six were from outside agencies. Cedar Rapids and Des Moines Police Departments are the only two departments that host their own academy. Recruits spend 18 weeks in the academy and receive approximately 720 hours of instruction. Every graduate from our Academy is assigned to a qualified Field Training Officer for several months before their first solo outings.

The Cedar Rapids Police Department Records Division is a 24/7 operation and the central repository of all police crime and investigative reports. The Records Division consists of two supervisors and 16 Records Techs. In 2025, the Records Division entered 16,061 incidents, took 1,045 reports, entered 6,603 arrests, transcribed 25,794 dictations, and answered 20,573 phone calls. Records processed 6,910 records requests through the online portal.

Joint Communications Agency

The calming voices who direct emergency resources to your call. Cedar Rapids Joint Communications Agency dispatchers provide 24/7 service to CRPD, CRFD, Animal Control, City departments, Airport Public Safety, and Iowa State Patrol as needed. They are trained in emergency first aid, CPR, and public safety communications. Several dispatchers received awards in 2025 for swift, effective, lifesaving efforts. Last year, they managed over 226,000 in and outbound calls. JCA is staffed with one manager, two supervisors, and 25 dispatchers.

FEBRUARY 19, 2025

Chelsea building standoff

On February 19, 2025, CRPD engaged in a 15-hour standoff with an armed person in an apartment complex. Following a traffic stop with a known associate, officers made visual contact with a wanted suspect in a theft.

Officers established containment and began gathering intel for a search warrant. Fire alarms activated from a fire in the apartment, and the suspect exited, firing a rifle at officers. Officers returned fire — forcing the suspect back inside — where he continued shooting through walls into the hallway. Officers held their position and the suspect exited again, firing toward them. Officers responded by returning fire and the suspect retreated.

Many apartments were evacuated, and special operations units were activated (SRT/CNT/HDU). The Special Response Team took positions inside and Crisis Negotiators attempted to contact the suspect with no success. The suspect later called 911 and was transferred to them. Negotiators were unable to negotiate a peaceful surrender. As a result, chemical munitions were deployed, the door was breached, and a robot was deployed which resulted in the suspect being taken into custody. The operation lasted 15 hours and involved over 60 personnel from all divisions of our Department — showcasing the courage, dedication, teamwork, and commitment of members of the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

CEDAR RAPIDS POLICE DEPARTMENT

FY25 ANNUAL REPORT

cedar rapids police department

fy25 annual report – digital version