Aggravated assaults up 33% in Lincoln this year; police union calls for more officers

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — With an increase in some violent crimes, the Lincoln Police Union is making a public call for more staffing.

The union referenced Channel 8’s reporting on Saturday’s shooting that left two people in critical condition.

Channel 8 reached out to the police union but did not receive a response.

From January to May, aggravated assaults spiked 33.7% compared with 2024, reaching 353 cases.

“We know that this is happening, and we are doing everything that we can in our power to investigate these crimes and hold those responsible accountable,” LPD spokeswoman Erika Thomas said.

According to state law, an aggravated assault is an attack that’s meant to inflict severe or aggravated bodily injury. It usually involves the use of a weapon.

One example is a shooting at Fourth and H streets on May 4, when a man was shot in the neck and shoulder.

SEE ALSO: Man arrested in north Lincoln shooting that injured two

Thomas said the department is aware of the uptick in crimes and is working to keep the community safe.

“We have daily lineups, multiple daily lineups so all of our officers and professional staff that choose to join those lineup calls are aware of what’s going on in the city,” she said.

A new recruiting class of 13 is graduating next week, but Thomas said even with that, the department is not quite fully staffed yet.

“They are factored into our authorized strength from the moment they start that academy,” she said. “As of today, we are at 348 sworn personnel at LPD.”

That’s 23 short of the authorized strength is 371.

Thomas said the department expects to get closer to being fully staffed with the next set of recruits.

“So our hope is that in July, once we see our fall 2025 class, we will be approaching that authorized strength,” she said.