NORTH MANKATO — The North Mankato Police Department handled a record number of calls for service in 2025, responding to 10,161 incidents across the city, according to the department’s annual report.
The report, presented to the City Council during a Monday work session by Police Chief Ross Gullickson, outlines department staffing, crime statistics, community engagement and operational activity over the past year.
“Working with and through our community partners affords us the ability to be better poised to address public safety issues from a variety of different perspectives,” he said.
Calls for service have steadily increased in recent years, Gullickson notes. Officers responded to 10,004 calls in 2023 and 9,901 in 2024 before rising to 10,161 in 2025. The number has grown significantly over the past decade, with the department receiving about 4,600 calls in 2015, the report shows.
Crime data from the department is reported to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the FBI. The reporting system divides offenses into two categories: Group A, which includes more serious crimes, and Group B, which covers less serious offenses but requires reporting when an arrest is made.
In 2025, the department recorded 393 Group A offenses, down from 435 the previous year. Those offenses included 113 assaults, 56 destruction of property or vandalism incidents, 76 thefts and 25 drug or narcotics violations, among other crimes.
Approximately 44% of those cases were cleared through arrest or other exceptional means. 89 arrests were made under Group B. Driving while intoxicated remained a significant category within those arrests, with officers making 37 DWI arrests. Others involved disorderly conduct, liquor law violations and trespassing.
Overall, there were 855 cited or charged individuals in criminal cases over the course of 2025.
Traffic enforcement also remained a major component of patrol activity. More than 2,500 traffic stops were conducted to enforce traffic laws, address impaired driving and improve roadway safety.
Officers attempt to resolve situations through communication and voluntary compliance whenever possible, but Gullickson acknowledged force may be used when necessary to protect police or others or to safely take a person into custody.
27 use-of-force incidents were reported, representing about 0.27% of all calls for service and included one case of active aggression toward an officer.
Despite its relatively small size, the department handles a wide range of responsibilities, including emergency response, criminal investigations, medical assistance calls, traffic enforcement, welfare checks and public assistance.
The department currently has 18 sworn officer positions, though it has struggled in recent years to remain fully staffed due to ongoing recruitment challenges affecting law enforcement agencies nationwide. To date, 17 of the 18 officer positions were filled, with two anticipated departures expected later this year, Gullickson reported.
The police department operated in 2025 with a budget of about $3.4 million, representing approximately 10.3% of the city’s overall budget. The funding supports personnel, equipment, training, technology and daily operational costs.
Training remained a major focus for the department and a new virtual reality training system designed to simulate hundreds of real-world policing scenarios allowed officers to practice decision-making, de-escalation techniques and use-of-force responses in immersive training environments — and taking up relatively little space to do so.
“Policing continues to evolve, and it is important that our officers remain well trained in a wide cross-section of skill sets to meet the demands of modern-day policing in America, a topic that, as you are well aware, has been the focal point of significant discussion, debate, political influence and opining in recent years,” Gullickson said.
59 public education or community outreach events took place, he said. Police also conducted 161 school patrol visits throughout the year at schools in the community — intended to provide education on personal and internet safety, chemical abuse awareness and scam prevention.
Gullickson said they are also exploring the possibility of adding a dedicated school resource officer in the future and a shared funding arrangement with the school district.
Facility needs were also highlighted in the report. While current office space remains adequate, the department faces a shortage of garage space for squad vehicles, evidence storage and equipment. Officials also plan to explore a more permanent and secure animal impound facility to replace the temporary structure currently in use.
Department leaders say the report reflects a year of increased service demand while continuing efforts to maintain training, community relationships and public safety operations throughout North Mankato.
“We take pride in being visible, known and accessible members of our community,” Gullickson said. “Our officers live in the community, the majority of them. We are part of the community. They are known in the community. They’re not just an anonymous face or squad car.”