Bend Police report more arrests but fewer calls in 2024, credit options such as Community Crisis Response Team

(Update: Adding video)

'Use of force' incidents drop 20% from 2023

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Calls for service by Bend Police officers dropped in 2024 and crime numbers remained flat, Police Chief Mike Krantz says in the agency’s just-released annual report for 2024.

"I’m pleased to say that, thanks to our continued efforts to work with alternative response models like the Community Crisis Response Team, our calls for service have dropped," Krantz said. "This allows our officers to do what they’re trained to do and to be more proactive in their community policing."

In listing accomplishments, the department noted that partnerships with agencies and organizations focused on developing other ways to respond to calls for service, rather than sending police officers.

The report says Bend Police officers responded to 75,335 calls for service last year, and total arrests rose to 3,663, up about 300 from the previous year. There were 64 “use of force” incidents, less than .10 of total police contacts and a 20% drop from 2023.

There were 207 K-9 deployments last year, 11,666 traffic stops and 2,369 calls to crashes, along with 587 DUII arrests.

Bend Police goals for the upcoming 2025-27 biennium include to implement automated traffic enforcement (red-light and speed cameras at key intersections) to improve traffic safety and to buy a new command post to improve emergency response.