RAPID CITY, SD – The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office saw a notable decrease in several major crime categories and reached significant staffing milestones according to a comparison of its 2024 and 2025 annual reports. 

Sheriff Brian Mueller, who has served three years as sheriff following a 30-year career with the office, noted a sustained drop in violent crime over the last five years. 

A 5-year report from the City of Rapid City confirmed an overall drop in crime of 6% with a 33% drop in burglary, 16.9% drop in robberies while aggravated assault increased 17% and sexual increased 11%.

Year-over-year crime data for Box Elder, Rapid City, and all of Pennington County showed a downward trend in several areas between 2024 and 2025. Reported sexual assaults dropped from 216 to 210, Robbery 92-80, Stolen vehicles 397 to 320, and burglary 415 to 367. 

Some areas saw increases from 2024 to 2025 including aggravated assault from 597 to 633, Murder 10 to 12, and domestic violence 1,690 to 1,783.

Overall calls for service were down year of year by 15%.

A major highlight of the 2025 report was the improvement in workforce stability. For the first time since 2018, the office was fully offered and close to fully staffed for correctional officer positions. This follows a proactive recruitment campaign and a county-wide internal wage study that led to increased wages effective January 2025. The number of unfilled positions across the office dropped from 13 in 2024 to zero reported vacancies in specific critical areas by the end of 2025.

The sheriff’s office budget grew from $44.7 million in 2024 to $46.2 million in 2025. Despite the increase, the portion of the budget funded by outside revenues rather than local tax dollars remained steady at 47 percent.

The 2025 report also detailed a shift in services at the Care Campus to address addiction. Admissions for detox services rose from 8,247 in 2024 to 9,433 in 2025. Conversely, Safe Solutions bed admissions decreased from 11,986 to 6,780 during the same period. “Based on admission data at the Care Campus, we continue to pivot to address the needs of those caught in the web of addiction and drug abuse,” Mueller said in his 2025 message.

Operational changes are planned for 2026, including a move of the Warrants and Civil Divisions to the remodeled Justice Center in Rapid City. The office also expects to begin construction on a new sub-station in Rapid Valley to increase patrol time and accessibility in that growing area.

The Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team continued its focus on fentanyl and methamphetamine. In 2025, methamphetamine possession arrests rose to 806 from 742 the previous year. Fentanyl arrests also increased from 112 to 135. Search and Rescue teams remained active, contributing over 5,959 volunteer hours in 2025. While total calls for service by the unit decreased from 83 in 2024 to 46 in 2025, the team increased its focus on advanced training, including helicopter hoist operations and high-angle technical rescues.