Riverton Police Department reviews 2024 achievements and staffing challenges

The Riverton City Council meeting on March 18, 2025, highlighted significant accomplishments and challenges faced by the Riverton Police Department over the past year. Captain Romero and his team presented a comprehensive review of the department's operations, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of both the administrative and patrol divisions.

Captain Romero detailed the responsibilities of the police administration, which includes overseeing the dispatch center, detective division, and animal control. Lead Dispatcher Sarah Nelson reported that the dispatch center handled over 30,000 calls in both 2023 and 2024, showcasing the high demand for police services in the community. She also mentioned the importance of accurate crime reporting through the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), despite some recent false reporting issues.

Detective Sergeant Smith provided insights into the detective division's operations, noting a decrease in certain crime rates, including a 35% drop in felony cases assigned to detectives compared to the previous year. He highlighted the vital role of victim advocates in supporting survivors of crime, with a focus on providing 24/7 assistance.

School Resource Officer Larson discussed the challenges of staffing, with only two officers currently serving the district, down from three. He emphasized the importance of their role in maintaining safety in schools and addressing issues such as drug use among students. The council is actively exploring grant opportunities to potentially reinstate a third SRO position.

The meeting concluded with Lieutenant Wharton discussing the patrol department's training programs and the importance of community service officers in alleviating the workload of regular patrol officers. He noted that these officers have handled over 630 incident calls, allowing patrol officers to focus on more critical tasks.

Overall, the Riverton City Council meeting underscored the police department's commitment to community safety and the ongoing efforts to adapt to staffing challenges while maintaining effective law enforcement services. The discussions set the stage for future initiatives aimed at enhancing public safety and community engagement.