Missoula annual police report shows more calls in 2025, not all crime

Missoula, Mont. — Missoula police said their new annual report offered a closer look at what officers handled in 2025 and why a rise in calls did not automatically point to more crime.

The department reported more than 57,000 incidents in 2025, up from the year before. Officials explained that the total covered a wide range of responses, from serious crimes to quality-of-life calls.

Kendall Hudson spoke with the department about the numbers, including staffing and recruitment gains and how new tools changed some responses. The report also broke down what police said was driving the increase in calls and what that meant for the community.

The report also highlighted public-facing data on use of force, investigations and staffing, giving people a broader view of department activity. A link could be added here to the Missoula Police Department 2025 annual report.

Whitney Bennett, the department's public information officer, said the increase matched a broader pattern tied to city growth.

“Obviously we’re more busy… we had more calls for service this year, which is a trend you’ll more than likely always see… because our population is increasing in the city. Right? So then you’re having more problems—more people, more problems. So everything’s growing. So yes, we did have more calls for service, but that doesn’t mean it’s all bad,” said Whitney Bennett.

Police also pointed to progress in their drone program. Officers used drones in more than 170 missions in 2025, including searches and active scenes.

The department said the goal was to keep improving while helping the community better understand what officers responded to each day. A link could also be added to Missoula police transparency information.