StoryPolice department quarterly report covering staffing changes and crime statisticsNovember 4, 2025

Lakeville Police Report Shows Staffing Changes, Crime Trends

Meeting date: Nov 4, 2025
Published Nov 14, 2025

The Lakeville City Council received its third-quarter police report Monday, highlighting significant staffing transitions and crime statistics for July through September.

Police Chief Brad Pollson reported three major retirements during the quarter: Records Technician Jenny Davis after 25 years, Officer Chad Laughler with 28 years in law enforcement including 21 with Lakeville, and Community Service Officer Randy Smith after eight years. The department filled these positions with new hires including Records Technician Kristen B, who brings 13 years of public health data analysis experience, and Community Service Officer Bill Nelson, a former air traffic controller and reserve officer.

Four new sworn officers joined the department in July and are completing field training. The group includes Bennett Wrand, a former community service officer who graduated from Winona, and Joe Baron, a Bemidji State graduate in his first sworn position. Two officers, Megan Karp and Josh Enavald, were hired through IC Poet grant funding.

Construction progress continues on the First Center, with exterior walls completed and the first layer of asphalt laid before winter. The department is finalizing capital member agreements with four area law enforcement agencies and exploring partnerships with local colleges for skills programs. Crime statistics showed a decrease in overall police reports compared to 2024, with calls for service dropping from 14,200 to 12,400, largely due to the fire department's transition to full-time status reducing police medical responses.

The council also conducted a public hearing for Special Service District #1, approving a zero service charge for 2026 taxes as recommended by the district's advisory board.

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Full analysis

Areas of Interest (5)

  • Rise in non-alcohol drug-impaired driving cases in Lakeville despite lack of rapid testing tools.
  • Transition of medical call load from police to full-time fire department staff impacting total call stats.
  • Strategic shift in police hiring from hospitality and other industries using state and local grant funding.
  • Impending expiration of the Special Service District charge as the board approaches a full draw down of funds.
  • Police Chief highlighting challenges in recruitment and training during a year of high turnover.

Votes (2)

Approve consent agenda

PassedVoice vote

Moved by Not specified · Seconded by Not specified

Approve resolution imposing service charge for Special Service District No. 1

Passed5-0

Moved by John Burmel · Seconded by Not specified

Notable Quotes (2)

We have seen an increase. It is still largely alcohol... but we are seeing the trend rise with other drug impairment for sure.

— Brad Pollson
Impaired driving trendsResponding to a question about impaired driving statistics.

We've received some new striping at the roundabout and I'm curious if we could maybe get a report on potential decreases in fender benders.

— Joshua Lee
Traffic safetyDiscussion following the police report.

People (4)

Brad PollsonPolice Chief

Presented the Q3 Police Department report and discussed operational trends.

John BurmelCouncil Member

Moved to approve the resolution for Special Service District No. 1.

Joshua LeeCouncil Member

Requested reporting on traffic safety at the new roundabout.

1 quote

“We've received some new striping at the roundabout and I'm curious if we could maybe get a report on potential decreases in fender benders.”

Inquiring about traffic safety effectiveness.

Mr. MillerCity Staff

Highlighted consent agenda items including donation acceptance and joint agreements.

Places Mentioned

LakevilleAntlers ParkGrand Prairie ParkRitter ParkDakota CountySt. PeterBemidjiRoseville

Events & Meetings (3)

  • November 3rd: City Council Meeting
  • November 17th: Next City Council Meeting
  • November 24th: Next Work Session

Ordinances & Resolutions (3)

6M

Amended and restated joint powers agreement with ISD 194 Lakeville schools.

6

Resolution of support for 2026-2030 Dakota County Capital Improvement Program.

Special Service District No. 1

Resolution imposing service charge for taxes payable in 2026.

Source document

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Other Topics from This Document

  • Lakeville Police Department Q3 Report

  • Police staff changes and retirements

  • First center construction update

  • Regional law enforcement partnerships

  • Community engagement and police department events

  • Police training and professional development

  • Crime statistics analysis for Q3

  • Traffic and impaired driving enforcement trends

  • Consent agenda: Fire Department donations

  • Consent agenda: ISD 194 Joint Powers Agreement

  • Public Hearing: Special Service District No. 1 taxes 2026

  • Dakota County Capital Improvement Program 2026-2030

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