Crime is up, and Number of Officers down in 2022 states the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs

 Statements below attributable to: Steven D. Strachan, Executive Director. Sheriff Morrison’s response follows.

Crime was up and the number of law enforcement officers was down in the latest Crime in Washington report for 2022.  The rate of murders, violent and property crimes rose across the state, while the number of officers available to respond and serve our communities decreased again in 2022.  The annual Crime in Washington report (link) tracks crime and arrest data from contributing law enforcement agencies throughout Washington.  The report is compiled by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC).

The report shows that there were 394 murders in 2022, an increase of 16.6 percent over 2021. This is the highest number of murders recorded since WASPC began collecting this data in 1980.  Homicides have increased 96 percent since 2019.  Crimes against persons, property and society all increased in 2022, and violent crimes showed an increase of 8.9 percent.

The total number of commissioned officers statewide was 10,666, down from 10,736 in 2021, while the total population of the state increased by 93,262.  Washington again is ranked 51st out of the 50 states and District of Columbia for the number of officers per thousand residents. Reported cases of officers assaulted was 2,375 in 2022, an increase of 20.7 percent.

Other data may show crime has decreased in some parts of the United States but overall crime in Washington has continued to rise. The data in this latest report should be used by policy makers to continue to develop balanced approaches that respect victims of crime and increase safety for all Washingtonians.

 CIW 2022 Facts at a Glance

  • The total population for the State of Washington is 7,865,768.
  • Full-time commissioned officers totaled 10,666.
  • There was a total of 2,375 assaults on law enforcement officers. Two officers were killed in the line of duty.
  • Motor vehicle theft rose 34 percent.
  • There were 394 murders.
  • Domestic Violence offenses made up 45.9 percent of all Crimes Against Persons.
  • A total of 544 hate crime incidents were reported.
  • 1,444 arrests for Drug/Narcotic Violations was down from 2,163 in 2021

The Crime in Washington 2022 report is compiled with data from 231 state, county, municipal, and Tribal agencies and is designed to give residents, elected officials, and law enforcement data-driven information about crime in their communities. The numbers are derived from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) submissions.  The data should not be compared to the FBI Crime in The United States 2022 report which will be published later this year. The Washington State Uniform Crime Reporting Program forwards the crime data to the FBI in the NIBRS format; however, the FBI may convert NIBRS to a Summary Reporting System format, use estimations, or omit agencies that have not submitted all twelve months for 2022.

From the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office:

07/10/2023

To Whom It May Concern:

As Sheriff of Chelan County, I want to express my disappointment and concern after reviewing the attached information provided by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) in regards to crime rates across Washington. It is disheartening to see such a rise in murders, violent crimes, and property crimes, which directly impact the safety and well-being of all communities to include ours.

What adds to the frustration is the fact Washington State currently ranks 51st out of the 50 States and the District of Columbia when it comes to the number of officers per thousand residents. This statistic is simply unacceptable. Law Enforcement cannot effectively combat crime and ensure public safety without an adequate number of officers.

It is further concerning to know while crime rates have decreased in many parts of the United States, they continue to rise here in Washington State. We must address these issues head-on and make it a priority to reverse these trends. The safety of our citizens should never be compromised, and we cannot allow Washington State to become a haven for criminals.

Rest assured, with the resources entrusted to us, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) will remain a steadfast ally to all of its citizens in the pursuit of safety. We will remain an unwavering adversary to those who would threaten the well-being of our community and want it to be known our commitment to service is resolute. We will proceed to work tirelessly to establish a society where safety, justice, and security are ensured for all.

Together, with the support and cooperation of our community, we can overcome these challenges and build a safer future. Let us stand united in our determination to combat crime and create an environment where every individual can thrive without fear. All CCSO Deputies remain committed in upholding the agencies motto of being “OF THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE”.

Respectfully,

Mike Morrison, Chelan County Sheriff