Keeping Scottsdale one of the safest cities in the nation remained the top priority for the Scottsdale Police Department in 2025, as officers and professional staff combined proactive enforcement, modern technology and community-focused policing to deliver results residents could see and feel.

“Public safety is the foundation of a thriving community, and the Scottsdale Police Department continues to set the standard,” City Manager Greg Caton said. “Their work in 2025 shows how smart investments, innovation and a focus on people deliver real results for Scottsdale.”

A safer city through focused enforcement and prevention

In 2025, Scottsdale was ranked among the top 15 safest cities in the nation for communities with populations over 100,000, placing it in the top five percent nationwide.

When comparing 2025 year-to-date totals with the same period in 2024, reported Group A crimes declined by 24.3%, signaling continued progress in reducing serious offenses across the city. Group A crimes are the most serious offenses tracked by law enforcement under the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System. They include violent crimes such as homicide, aggravated assault, robbery and sexual assault, as well as major property crimes like burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson and fraud.

Officers conducted targeted traffic enforcement across key corridors to address resident concerns related to speeding, racing and noise. Those efforts resulted in a 24% reduction in traffic complaints compared to 2024, demonstrating how focused enforcement improves neighborhood safety and quality of life

The department also made significant progress reducing long-standing backlogs, including cutting the citywide photo enforcement processing queue from nearly 15,000 cases to a manageable level in just a few months to improve accountability and responsiveness

Specialized units delivering high-impact results

SPD’s specialized units played a critical role in complex investigations and community safety throughout the year. The Crisis Response Team responded to hundreds of calls involving individuals experiencing mental health crises, earning lifesaving and critical response awards while emphasizing compassionate, coordinated care.

The department’s Street Crimes Unit, Drug Enforcement Unit and federal task force partnerships led to major arrests and seizures, including large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and firearms, disrupting organized criminal activity locally and regionally.

SPD’s Criminal Intelligence Unit also helped bring justice in a decades-old case, assisting in the international arrest of Scottsdale’s No. 2 most-wanted fugitive.

“Our officers and professional staff handled some of the most complex and challenging work in law enforcement this year,” Police Chief Joe LeDuc said. “What stands out most is their professionalism, teamwork and commitment to serving this community with integrity and care.”

Prepared, trained and supported officers

A major milestone in 2025 was the grand reopening of the Thomas A. Hontz Police and Fire Training Facility following a comprehensive modernization. The upgraded campus now includes advanced simulation spaces, a live-fire shoot house and expanded classrooms, ensuring Scottsdale’s officers receive training that meets modern standards.

SPD also completed department-wide compensation enhancements, elevating the department to one of the top three highest-paid law enforcement agencies in the Valley and strengthening recruitment and retention efforts.

Officer wellness remained a priority, with the department’s Peer Support and Wellness teams providing critical assistance during major incidents and expanding programs focused on mental health, physical well-being and resilience

Recognition for excellence and service

Throughout 2025, SPD employees earned state and national recognition for their work. Honors included FBI recognition for investigative contributions, national forensic certifications achieved by Scottsdale crime lab scientists, and statewide awards for emergency communications excellence, including Dispatch Incident of the Year for handling an active shooter response.

“These recognitions reflect more than awards — they reflect trust,” LeDuc said. “Trust from our community, our partners and each other, and that trust is earned every day through service.”

As Scottsdale looks ahead, the department’s 2025 accomplishments demonstrate a clear focus on safety, accountability and continuous improvement, ensuring Scottsdale remains a place where residents feel secure, supported and proud to call home.