ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —
When the calendar turned to 2020, it brought turmoil from which the Asheville Police Department is still rebounding.
There was COVID-19, the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis, the Black Lives Matter movement and nationwide unrest.
Police departments across the country were under much scrutiny.
“We lost a lot of officers,” APD’s new Deputy Chief Sean Aardema said. “It’s a staffing crisis we’re still trying to dig ourselves out of.”
The department has 238 total sworn positions, but it is still short 63 officers, APD spokesman Rick Rice said.
“The officers that stayed are here for the right reasons,” Aardema said.
The deputy chief thinks the adversity made APD one of the area’s most efficient agencies.
“We were faced with a massive shortage, but we were still able to go out there and help the public stay safe,” Aardema said.
Statistics from 2022-23 show violent crime and property crime are down.
“It’s not a big drop, but it’s still a decrease,” he said. “Considering our staffing, we still consider it a win. It’s a testament to how far we’ve come.”
Aardema said the department adapted its officer training to consider the staffing shortages.
“My hat’s off to the ones out there. It’s not easy,” he said.
Aardema was named deputy chief on Friday. He previously has been a captain overseeing the Patrol Division, lieutenant commanding the Criminal Investigations and Professional Standards Section, and sergeant over the Major Crimes Unit and South Central Patrol Unit. He also has served as a Basic Law Enforcement Instructor within the department.
“Frankly, I didn’t anticipate turning up to be the deputy chief,” Aardema said. “I’m still stunned.”