MARSHALL, MN — The Marshall Police Department responded to more calls in 2025 than any year in its history, according to Director of Public Safety Jim Marshall.

“In 2025, we actually, in my over 30 years in law enforcement, our Marshall Police Department responded to the most calls that we’ve ever in one year, and that was 13,123 calls for the year,” Marshall said. He called it a “busy year” for the department, noting officers have worked to navigate rising call volumes with existing staffing.

Investigators followed up on 922 criminal cases in 2025 and made 466 arrests. The department recorded 96 assaults and 136 domestic assaults. Officers conducted 4,040 traffic stops, issuing 812 citations — just over 20 percent.

“People like to know that not everybody gets a ticket every time they’re stopped,” Marshall said. “If you’re smart about it, your odds are in your favor of not getting a citation.”

January 2026 numbers indicate the upward trend is continuing. The department handled 1,152 calls for service in the first month of the year, along with 68 criminal cases and 33 arrests. Officers reported three assaults, 17 domestic-related incidents, 15 thefts and 480 traffic stops. Police also made 10 warrant arrests and conducted 31 mental health or welfare checks.

MERIT Center expansion advances

Marshall also updated progress at the Marshall Emergency Response and Industrial Training (MERIT) Center. The Marshall City Council recently approved an agreement with the State of Minnesota to move forward with construction of a firearms training range at the facility.

Marshall said the vision for the center dates back to 1997, when development of the training tower began. Early estimates projected costs exceeding $30 million, making a phased approach necessary. Over nearly three decades, the city has added classroom space, office space for Minnesota West Community and Technical College, a driving track and other features.

In 2023, the city received $2.25 million in state funding for the firearms range and a live burn prep facility for fire departments, short of the estimated $5 million to $6 million total cost. After legislative language changes in 2025, the city finalized its agreement with the state and is preparing to seek architectural design and engineering services.

“Training in law enforcement has really changed over the years, and it’s so important,” Marshall said. “When you have split seconds to decide what you’re going to do, oftentimes you step back on the training that you’ve had.”

The MERIT Center serves a 14-county region and has hosted agencies from Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa and North Dakota. Marshall said the driving track is particularly unique, with the nearest comparable facilities located in St. Cloud and at Camp Ripley.

About 7,000 people use the center annually, including public safety agencies and local businesses. Funded in part through local lodging and food taxes, the facility brings outside visitors into the Marshall community, Marshall said.

Immigration enforcement role clarified

Amid recent federal immigration enforcement activity, Marshall emphasized the local department’s limited role.

“The Marshall Police Department does not have any authority to enforce civil immigration laws, nor does it give us any authority to prevent federal agencies from coming and enforcing those laws,” he said.

Marshall said his focus remains on community safety and ensuring residents feel comfortable contacting police. While he has been aware of federal immigration activity in the community for more than a month, he said local officers have had no direct involvement beyond a few phone conversations.

“I can only speak to what we’ve seen here in the City of Marshall, and it’s been very, very limited,” he said.

Safety reminders

With warmer weather arriving, Marshall urged caution for those venturing onto area lakes for ice fishing, noting reports of unstable conditions.

He also highlighted a recent study by the Southwest Regional Development Commission examining school bus stop-arm violations after installation of cameras on buses operated by Southwest Coaches.

In previous years, police issued fewer than 50 school bus violations during a nine-month school year. With camera enforcement, that number could reach as many as 270 documented violations if current trends continue.

“It’s not that driving behavior has gotten worse,” Marshall said. “I think the technology and our ability to detect those violations is what’s really changed.”

He encouraged drivers to stay alert for school buses, children walking and biking, and changing road conditions as activity increases across the community.