RPD 2022 annual report shows drop in major crime; spike in drug overdoses, person in crisis calls

(ABC 6 News) – The Rochester Police Department (RPD) released its 2022 annual report on Thursday.

In 2022, RPD officers responded to 57,591 calls for service. Drug overdoes jumped 29% from 2021. Officers responded to 120 drug overdoses, including 22 deaths. RPD officers administered Narcan, a life-saving medication that can quickly reverse an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids, 49 times.

Person in crisis calls – involving individuals experiencing a mental health emergency – continued to rise as officers responded to 1,692 calls, an 8% increase from 2021.

Major crimes such as murder, sexual assault, kidnapping, robbery, and burglary were at four-year lows. See the full chart below.

The Investigations Team which follows up with and provides detailed investigations on crimes committed in the City of Rochester, was assigned 2,453 cases – a 19% increase from 2021. Death investigation (142%), forgery (112%) and shoplifting (378%) all saw increases while damage to property (40%) saw a decrease from 2021. The team also executed approximately 61 residential-type search warrants, 8 more than in 2021 and none were a no-knock warrant.

RPD also seized 55 handguns, 79.9 pounds of fentanyl, 82.4 pounds of cocaine, 31.2 pounds of marijuana, 58.86 pounds of methamphetamine, 10 grams of heroin, and 39,400 fentanyl pills (approximate quantity based on weight).

The report also said catalytic converter theft continued to climb in Rochester as RPD received reports of 157 catalytic converters stolen or damaged.

RPD hired 15 new officers in 2022, nearly half were women and people of color. They completed the departments 10-week, in-house training academy before being sworn-in.

To view the full report, CLICK HERE.