Jasper Police Report Shows Rising Calls, Staffing and Winter Crash Strain

Police Chief Chad Dick told the Board of Public Works and Safety about a busy November for the Jasper Police Department, with the department answering 1,166 calls for service during the month. Officers responded to 47 property damage crashes and six injury crashes, several of which were related to snow and ice, and made 236 traffic contacts and 46 arrests.

The detective division reported three forensic interviews, service of four search warrants, execution of one subpoena, and the opening of four new child related investigations. Detectives also responded to multiple after hours callouts. The narcotics detective made one arrest and seized small quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine connected to a stolen vehicle investigation.

Chief Dick outlined recent grants and donations totaling more than $5,600. The funds have been applied to a phone line for breath test instrumentation, a money counter that records serial numbers, covert narcotics equipment, and training guns. Those items are intended to improve evidence handling, narcotics detection and officer training.

Staffing pressures were a central topic at the meeting. Two Jasper officers are in the final stages of lateral transfer to the state police. The board approved conditional job offers for two probationary officers, with employment contingent on meeting department requirements. Chief Dick praised departmental dedication while noting that staff turnover and recruitment remain operational concerns.

Dispatch changes have shifted how emergency calls are routed across the county. Since geofence adjustments, Jasper dispatch now handles roughly 36 to 40 percent of county 911 calls, a figure that affects workload distribution and resource planning across Dubois County emergency services.

For local residents the report highlights immediate public safety considerations. The number of winter related crashes underscores road hazards during cold weather. The staffing shifts and increased dispatch workload speak to the need for continued attention to response times and coverage. The new equipment purchases are aimed at strengthening investigative capability and preserving evidence integrity as the department adapts to evolving demands.