Farewell from Interim Chief David Zimmerman

Chief David Zimmerman has served as Interim Chief of Police of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department (and author of this blog) during the last three months during the search and hiring process for a new chief. Major Richard C. Smith will be sworn in as the new Chief at 9:30 a.m. next Tuesday, Aug. 15. Today, Chief Zimmerman sent out a farewell message to the members of KCPD, and he wanted to share it with KC residents. 

"As my tenure as Chief of Police draws to a close, I am compelled to expressed some heartfelt words about the last three months. I appreciate the Board of Police Commissioners affording me the opportunity to lead this great organization as they undertook the search for the next Chief of Police. 

"Also, the words of encouragement and support I have received from the public in my day-to-day interactions throughout this city is evidence of the tremendous strides made over that last five years to strengthen the relationship between the police department and the community we serve.
  
"Further, I find it necessary to express my gratitude to the men and women of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department, especially to Executive Command for their assistance and the Chief’s Office staff who kept me on time, on task, on message and headed in the right direction. Finally, and foremost, I must thank all of the women and men of our police department who keep this 24/7 operation moving, particularly those answering the call for 'any car' or 'shots fired.' These brave souls do not hesitate to go in harm’s way to save another while guided by the better angels of our nature.  I realize it sometimes seems like an impossible hill to climb, especially as we try to adjust to staffing reductions of nearly 10 percent from previous years. However, I am confident the members of this organization will persevere and conquer any challenge that arises.  

"I only ask that you show the same support for Chief Rick Smith, who will need it as he faces the daunting task of dealing with violent crime plaguing many areas of our city.  

"Please know that I will cherish my 35 years with the Kansas City Missouri Police Department, especially these last three months, while my thoughts and prayers will be for each of you long after I have ceased wearing the badge and uniform.

Chief David B. Zimmerman " 

Darryl Forte sworn in as new chief of police

Jackson County Circuit Court Judge J. Dale Youngs swore in Darryl Fortè as the 44th chief of police of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department today. Fortè is the department's first African American chief, as well. Below are some pictures of his swearing-in ceremony this morning at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center.

Public invited to question finalists for police chief position

PRESS RELEASE:

The public will get the chance to interview the candidates for the next chief of police of Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 6.

The community is invited at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, to the auditorium of Paseo Academy, 4747 Flora, for an open forum with the five finalists for Kansas City, Missouri, police chief. The forum will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Attendees will be invited to submit questions to the candidates in writing.

The five finalists for the chief position are:

KCPD Deputy Chief Darryl Forté
KCPD Deputy Chief Kevin Masters
Retired KCPD Deputy Chief Vincent Ortega
Fayetteville, N.C., Chief of Police Thomas Bergamine
Rochester, N.Y., Executive Deputy Chief George E. Markert.

Immediately after the public forum, the Board of Police Commissioners will meet in closed session. The Board also will conduct closed interviews with the finalists Oct. 5 and 6. The meetings are closed pursuant to Missouri Statute Section 610.021(3) because they relate to “hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting or particular employees by a public governmental body when personal information about the employee is discussed or recorded.”

Board of Police Commissioners names finalists for chief of police

PRESS RELEASE:

The Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners has released the names of the finalists for the position of chief of police.

The finalists are:

KCPD Deputy Chief Darryl Forté
KCPD Deputy Chief Kevin Masters
Retired KCPD Deputy Chief Vincent Ortega
Fayetteville, N.C., Chief of Police Thomas Bergamine
Rochester, N.Y., Executive Deputy Chief George E. Markert.


The Board will conduct closed interviews with the finalists Sept. 18, Oct. 5 and Oct. 6. A public forum with the finalists will take place the evening of Oct. 6 at a location to be announced.

The Board has named Deputy Chief Cheryl Rose to serve as interim chief of police upon the retirement of Chief James Corwin on Sept. 16.

Input sought for Chief selection process

I've previously announced that I will retire from the position of Chief of Police on Sept. 16 of this year. The Board of Police Commissioners will be hiring the next chief, and they need your input. Read the below press release to see which forums are closest to you.

The Kansas City Missouri Board of Police Commissioners will be soliciting input from the public about what qualities they would like to see in the next chief of police.

The Board invites the public to attend three meetings in the coming weeks to tell board members their ideas. The meetings will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on the following dates at the following locations:

• July 6, Wednesday – Hillcrest Community Center, 10401 Hillcrest Road
• July 7, Thursday – Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, 3700 Blue Parkway
• July 11, Monday – Police Academy auditorium, 6885 N.E. Pleasant Valley Road