2014 figures indicate that the Rochelle Police Department saw a slight increase in criminal arrests by officers but also a sharp decline in the number of calls for service along with traffic stops.
Criminal arrests were up by 11 individuals as they totaled 321. Total calls were down by just over 2,350 along with traffic stop by nearly 15 hundred.
Rochelle Police Chief Eric Higby said they were down 4 officers for part of the year. 2 are currently in training. Another officer is recovering from an injury while the 4th position will not be filled.
The department also saw an increase in battery cases from 23 in 2013 to 64 in 2014. Accidents were also up by 63 crashes. Higby said that the winter weather last year may have been a factor in the increase in accidents.
Chief Higby said that there will not be any new programs for 2015 involving the department.
