Branson Police Chief Jeff Matthews said Thursday that the department’s biggest challenge in 2021 was staffing.

“Law enforcement across the country has been hit hard with resignations and retirements,” Matthews said while presenting the 2021 Annual Report during a study session. Regionally, he said, staffing is a continual struggle. The 32-page 2021 report provides details on policing philosophy and values, department achievements, performance measures and more.

Matthews said during a recent conversation with a peer of his from a larger agency he learned that this peer’s agency is down 17 staff members. This is in addition to double-digit officer vacancies. “We’re all focused on staffing,” he said.

Another challenge exists: recruitment. “Last year we processed 60 officer applicants and hired just eight officer or officer candidates.” But Matthews also said hiring qualified dispatchers is a bigger challenge.

“Although we hired three dispatchers, we lost some to other opportunities,” Matthews said. Two new dispatchers have been hired and are being trained, while another is going through a background investigation. The chief said if this other candidate is hired, all dispatch vacancies will be filled.

Dispatch Data

• Matthews said dispatched staffing was increased by one person in 2011
• He said the department has the same number of dispatchers today: 11
• Dispatch topped 35,000 calls for service in 2020 during the pandemic
• Last year dispatch received a little over 38,000 calls

On another note, Matthews showed in his presentation that crime is on a downward trend in Branson. Additionally, the presentation notes that there was a 37% decrease in major violent crime over 2020.

Alderman Marshall Howden voiced some disagreement with Matthews regarding the decline in crime and said a lot of his constituents feel as he does. “Perception isn’t always reality, but also statistics I feel aren’t always reality,” Howden said. Matthews replied saying that the alderman’s perception is his reality.

“I have to address the fear of crime because somebody’s perception is their reality,” Matthews said. Howden said he agrees with that and proceeded to ask Matthews if he feels crime being up would reflect his job performance. After a pause, Howden said that he doesn’t feel that way.

“That’s a tough question because if I stand up here and say ‘we’re responsible for the decreases,’ next year if we have crime increases the same guy needs to be here saying ‘I’m responsible for those increases,’” Matthews said.

Later, Howden asked the chief how often he looks at crime statistics from 20 years ago. Matthews replied that if he had the ability to do that, he could. He said he’s able to go back to 2010 and 2011 statistics “pretty accurately.”

Branson Mayor Larry Milton asked how many openings the police department has. Matthews said he believes there are 13 openings.

The entire study session is available to watch online.