Austin Anderson serves as the Chief of Police for the Farmington Police Department, a role he held as of the department's organization page published on June 21, 2023. According to that same June 2023 document, the department's authorized staffing includes 29 sworn members out of a total of 31 members. Anderson has stated on the department's website that it is an honor and a privilege to serve alongside a team of professionals committed to the safety and well-being of those who live in, work in, or visit Farmington City.
Residents encounter the work of the Farmington Police Department through various public services and notices. For example, a public notice published on July 1, 2026, indicated that certain found or recovered property items held by the Property and Evidence Unit of the Farmington Police would be applied to public interest use or destroyed if unclaimed by July 15, 2026. This notice detailed several items, including a folding knife found on July 3, 2025, at Glovers / Frontage, and an iPhone with a clear case found on July 16, 2025, at 200 W / 200 S. Other items listed in the July 1, 2026, notice included a Hyundai key found on July 31, 2025, at Clark Ln / Lagoon Trail, and a pair of black shoes found on November 4, 2025, at 380 N Station Parkway.
The department's mission, as described by Anderson on the department's website, focuses on ensuring public safety and strengthening relationships in every neighborhood. Anderson noted that the department seeks to build meaningful relationships with residents, businesses, and community leaders through trust, accountability, and mutual respect. As the city experiences growth, the department's mission remains to ensure public safety and build trust.
The scale of the department has changed alongside the city's population. According to a March 2025 Farmington News publication, the city's general revenue increased from $2,912,530 in 2001 to $16,543,126 by 2024. In 2001, the city had only 11 police officers; by 2024, the city had 29 police officers. The March 2025 document notes that the city finally has enough officers to cover each shift fully, though the city has also faced rising payroll costs. Specifically, police and fire payroll costs rose from $3,794,174 in 2021 to $6,422,454 by the end of 2024.
Anderson's leadership involves managing a department that serves a growing population. The March 2025 Farmington News report notes that Farmington's population was 12,422 in 2001 and reached approximately 24,582 by 2021. This growth has necessitated increased resources for first responders to meet the current needs of the community.
What this means for Farmington
For Farmington residents, the leadership of the police department involves managing growing staffing needs and rising payroll costs. As the city population increases, the department continues to expand its resources to ensure public safety and maintain the trust and accountability that Chief Anderson emphasizes as a core mission for all residents and visitors.
