Lake Oswego Police Report Shows Declining Crime, Formal Complaints

Annual review highlights drop in thefts, burglaries, and use of force incidents, but increase in overdose calls

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:22pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a police badge or handcuff, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the data and insights in the police department's annual report.The Lake Oswego Police Department's annual report reveals both progress and ongoing challenges in maintaining public safety.Lake Oswego Today

The Lake Oswego Police Department presented its annual report to the City Council, showing a decline in overall crime rates, including fewer thefts, burglaries, and use of force incidents. However, the number of overdose calls increased from 15 in 2024 to 27 in 2025, though there were no fatal overdoses. The department also received eight formal complaints, up from six the previous year.

Why it matters

The police report provides insight into the public safety trends and challenges facing the Lake Oswego community, allowing city leaders and residents to better understand the local crime landscape and the department's performance. The data on declining crime rates and increased overdose calls highlight the evolving nature of public safety concerns that the department must address.

The details

According to the report, thefts decreased from 347 in 2024 to 322 in 2025, and burglaries dipped from 83 to 68. The number of assaults and weapon offenses remained close to the same. The department also saw a 12.5% decrease in use of force incidents, with 56 out of 27,685 total incidents involving the use of force, mostly in the form of physical control. However, the number of overdose calls increased from 15 to 27, though there were no fatal overdoses. The department also received eight formal complaints, up from six the previous year, all of which were internally generated.

  • The Lake Oswego Police Department presented its annual report to the City Council on April 7, 2026.
  • The report covered crime data and other metrics from 2024 and 2025.

The players

George Burke

Chief of the Lake Oswego Police Department.

Clayton Simon

Captain of the Lake Oswego Police Department.

Rachel Verdick

Lake Oswego City Councilor.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I can't say how proud I am of the work that our members and members of our organization do representing this community.”

— George Burke, Chief of the Lake Oswego Police Department

“One of the things I'd love to highlight in the stolen vehicle recovery is, as you see, our stolen vehicles are dropping. We're recovering everybody else's.”

— George Burke, Chief of the Lake Oswego Police Department

“There were no use of force complaints last year; we did receive one biased policing service complaint.”

— Clayton Simon, Captain of the Lake Oswego Police Department

“Thank you for all the work that you guys do, the teamwork that our community feels safe in large part because of what you do and how you engage.”

— Rachel Verdick, Lake Oswego City Councilor

What’s next

The Lake Oswego Review plans to file a records request to get more information on the formal complaints and policy violations mentioned in the report.

The takeaway

The Lake Oswego Police Department's annual report highlights the department's efforts to maintain public safety, with declining crime rates and use of force incidents. However, the increase in overdose calls underscores the evolving challenges the department faces in serving the community.