December 2024 Study Found Annapolis Police Department Experiencing Staffing Shortages, Data Gaps, Along with Concerns Over Safety and Morale

A December 2024 study of the Annapolis Police Department revealed various challenges within the department, highlighting staffing strains, gaps in critical data, and concerns with safety as well as low morale.

The executive summary and full report can be found by clicking the links below: 

Annapolis Police Department Workload Analysis Executive Summary

Annapolis Police Department Workload Analysis Full Report

The study was conducted by the Maryland Crime Research and Innovation Center (MCRIC) and examined police calls for service during 2022 and 2023, along with surveys and interviews of APD officers and City of Annapolis officials.

The report focused on workload, not crime rates. Researchers analyzed when residents request police assistance and how much time officers spend responding to those calls, completing reports, attending training, and covering leave time.

The study found that calls for service fluctuated significantly by time and season. Call volume was lowest in the early morning hours and highest during the afternoon. Fridays were typically the busiest days, while Sundays see the fewest calls. The months of May through July generated the most activity, while winter months were slower. Most calls were considered low or medium priority, however they usually took less time to resolve.  According to the study, those calls made up the majority of police work and consume a large share of patrol resources. More serious incidents occurred less often but required more officer time.

When staffing was evaluated based on actual workload rather than population size, most scenarios showed the police department to be understaffed. Survey and interview results supported those findings, with nearly all officers reporting staffing shortages, limited training opportunities, concerns about safety and signs of low morale as officers balance multiple responsibilities.

The report also identified weaknesses in data collection. Some calls for service were missing key details such as location or timing, limiting the department’s ability to identify patterns or concentrate resources where they are most needed.