RPD issues report highlighting patrol, investigations, service & community services for 2021

(ABC 6 News) – The Rochester Police Department said it responded to more than 56,000 calls for service in 2021, and saw an increase in a variety of crimes from assaults to thefts.

According to the 2021 annual report, police investigated 2 cases of murder and non-negligent manslaughter, which is down from 5 cases in 2021.

However, assaults increased, with 253 aggravated assaults reported in 2021 compared to 188 the year before, and 637 simple assaults compared to 619 in 2020.

The department also saw a jump in theft of motor vehicle parts, with 198 cases reported in 2021 compared to 91 cases in 2020.

Throughout 2021 law enforcement reported seeing an increase in catalytic converter thefts across the region, RPD even teamed up with local auto shops to help prevent more thefts by spray painting catalytic converters.

The report also includes data on seizures, from guns to drugs, that were taken off the streets.

Rochester police seized more than 10,000 grams of meth, that’s roughly 22 pounds. Last year there was more than 3,000 prescription pills also seized, with a majority of those being counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl.

The report is a summary of the department’s four division: patrol, investigations, service and community services.

Despite struggles to hire across the country, RPD welcomed 17 new officers in 2021, with nearly half of the new hires being women and people of color.

Click here to see the full report.