We are seeing a lot of applications, but not a lot of quality applicants.”

Hastings Police Chief Dave Wilske

To read the full 2024 Hastings police report, visit www.hastingsmn.gov/city-government/city-departments/police-department

Last week the Hastings City Council’s workshop heard from Police Chief Dave Wilske and Deputy Chief Brian Schowalter about the state of the Hastings Police Department (HPD), a recap of 2024 statistics, and the successes and hardships of the department.
Wilske called his three majors focuses officer retention, morale, and hiring the right people.
“That is law enforcement,” said Wilske.
Hurdles, therefore, to retention and hiring good candidates are particularly noteworthy for HPD.
The Hastings Police Department continues to struggle to hire sworn officers, in part due to competition and higher wages in neighboring communities as well as lack of renovated facilities.
Currently the department has 30 sworn officers and is hiring two more.
“We are seeing a lot of applications, but not a lot of quality applicants,” said Wilske.
Last year three officers left the department for Eagan, Woodbury, and the airport police department respectively, all citing higher pay as one of the reasons for leaving.
Hastings police are paid about $15 per hour less after three years than the Woodbury Police Department, which is the highest paid department in the area, according to Wilske. While the city recently increased police officer pay, higher rates nearby continue to be an issue to hiring.
Wilske also cited other department’s hiring bonuses and even paying for officer’s schooling as other hurdles to hiring.
Compounding that issue is the current Hastings Police Department building, which is “in dire need of remodel or new building,” according to Wilske’s presentation.
Schowalter compared the department to colleges or sports teams bringing in new athletes: “The facility brings them in, and what we have to offer brings them in. It’s who we are that keeps them here.”
That differentiation was a key point for both Schowalter and Wilske, who stressed that morale within the department was particularly high despite those headwinds to new hirings. Wilske stressed a focus on “little wins” for the department like the excitement about a new shoe shining machine in the station.
Both men’s shining boots were a testament to its use.
“Morale is phenomenal. It really is,” said Wilske.

Investigators
Last year HPD hired a third investigator and shifted away from three-year rotations for investigative roles.
This shift is because the three-year term wasn’t enough time for officers to become familiar with the role: “What we realized is three years for an investigator was just not enough time. The skill set takes a year to a year-and-a-half to really figure out what they’re doing,” said Wilske about the change.
Schowalter spoke to various cases being undertaken by the three HPD investigators. Those cases ranged from financial exploitation to third degree murder cases, to swindle cases. In particular, Schowalter referenced the near conclusion of a swindle case where authorities recovered $98,000 in swindled funds that were set to be returned over the next month to residents.
Schowalter also touched on the “Washington County Murder” of William “Ike” Eickholt who was killed last February in Denmark Township. While that case is not under HPD jurisdiction, the department is still assisting with the case. No suspect has been identified but the investigation is still ongoing.

Statistics
One standout statistic for 2025 has been a sharp decline in overdose calls within the city of Hastings.
To date, HPD has received only five overdoses calls and recorded no overdose deaths. Those numbers are down from 17 overdose calls last year with four recorded overdose fatalities last year, with 24 overdose calls and four overdose fatalities in 2023.
Wilske attributed that decline to the wide availability of Narcan in the community: “The availability of Narcan is huge.”
Specifically, Wilske speculated that the drop in overdose calls is due to residents using Narcan themselves and not needing to call the police in the case of an overdose: “I can almost guarantee that is happening,” said Wilske.
Other crime statistics, as previously reported from the 2024 HPD Annual Report have dropped from pandemic highs.
Last year HPD received 20,163 calls which Schowalter called “about average,” with calls generally reflecting a community’s population.
The most common types of calls last year in order were suspicious activity, civic/public assistance, disorderly conduct/disturbing the peace/fight, alarm calls, welfare check, and animal call.
The top citation given last year was for driving after revocation, cancellation, or suspension with 113 citations issued.
Another change last year was the creation of a second School Resource Officer role, which is currently filled by Officer James Domaier. Due to staffing issues, Domaier is currently on regular rotation with the department, but is expected to start full-time as the second SRO at the beginning of the second semester in ISD 200.
To read the full 2024 Hastings police report, visit www.hastingsmn.gov/city-government/city-departments/police-department