Rev. Bob Hill, minister emeritus of Community Christian Church, and Marge Williams, LINC commissioner and former Hickman Mills superintendent, report the findings of what Kansas Citians want in their next police chief to the Board of Police Commissioners May 24, 2022. Photos from the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

Someone who is honest, has integrity, engages the community, can reduce violent crime and who will openly communicate “the good, the bad and the ugly” —

that’s what Kansas Citians want in their next police chief.

So says the report issued May 24 that a coalition of civic organizations, businesses and interfaith groups compiled after weeks of gathering survey results and hosting listening sessions across Kansas City.

The co-facilitators of the report — Rev. Bob Hill, minister emeritus of Community Christian Church, and Marge Williams, LINC commissioner and former Hickman Mills superintendent — presented the report to the Board of Police Commissioners.

“It is our fervent hope that the report can be useful in providing healing stitches in the mending of our community that too often has been frayed at the seams,” Hill said to the board. “The people have spoken, and we will all be watching.”

A summary of the findings from the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce identified nine consistent themes emerging from the seven listening sessions:

The new Chief needs to be front facing and engaged in the community
The new Chief needs to be an effective communicator
Data and best practices must be transparent and a key component of the new Chief’s strategy and vision
The new Chief must develop and communicate a clear vision and strategy for the department
The new Chief needs to address perceived issues of underlying racism within the department
The new Chief needs to have a priority focus on training, with a particular emphasis on de-escalation and racial bias training
The new Chief needs to prioritize mental health within both the community and the department
The new Chief needs to re-examine and improve the internal investigation process
The new Chief must have the ability to navigate the political landscape

The coalition circulated two surveys — one to the general public and a second to members of the Kansas City Police Department.

The general public survey, according to the chamber’s summary, found an emphasis on community engagement and trustworthiness. The community wants officer accountability and a chief who advances de-escalation techniques that protect the public and reduce opportunities for police misconduct.

The police survey also emphasized honesty and integrity in the next chief’s leadership qualities. The department personnel likewise want a chief who values community interactions and desires meaningful solutions to community problems.

Differences in perspective were noted between the two surveys, with the community placing greater emphasis on department diversity, equity, and inclusion, while department personnel indicated a greater desire for a fair and equitable Chief who promotes staff development, training, and succession planning.

Former Police Chief Rick Smith retired in April and was replaced by Interim Chief Joseph Mabin.

Survey says: See what Kansas City wants in its next police chief