What Wichita City Council members, mayor are looking for in next police chief
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What does Wichita want in its next police chief?
With Police Chief Gordon Ramsay’s upcoming resignation, people in Wichita are already thinking about what qualities and priorities the next top cop should have.
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Here are the qualities, background and priorities the Wichita City Council members who answered a five-question survey from The Wichita Eagle say the city’s new police chief should have.
The city has already solicited proposals from consulting firm, paving the way for a national search to begin after current chief Gordon Ramsay leaves on March 1.
Editor’s note: Responses may have been edited for length and clarity.
Brandon Whipple, Mayor
What background and qualities do you think Wichita’s next police chief should have?
Obviously, we’re looking for someone who has really the dedication and the professional experience to take on such a key a role. And in addition to a stellar resume of education and professional experience, really it’s going to be important to find someone who has that community policing mentality and also a track record of building bridges within the community that go both ways.
What issues should Wichita’s next police chief prioritize?
Of course it’s going to be building upon the success of our previous, or current but will be previous (chief), which is the community policing strategy — that strategy of building relationships in our community so that we can do better at solving crime before it really happens. ... Those type of tips, that type of communication and trust within the community allows their officers to look into things before they wind up becoming bigger problems.
Should Wichita hire a chief from inside or outside of the department?
We have some I think pretty good talent to be looking at on the inside. But also Wichita is the 49th largest city in the country. We should be a place that people want to aspire to work for and retire at. So doing the national search, if someone comes and is a really good fit and has that body of work, I don’t think them coming from an outside department should be held against them.
Do you think the make up of the department is representative of the community?
Ramsay’s done a good job of trying to bring in more diverse officers as well. And I think that there’s much more work we can be doing in that aspect.
Are there any policies or programs that you think the next chief should change?
I‘ll be the first to tell you I’m not an expert on advanced policing policy. I think that the next police chief needs to be able to tell us what they need and communicate that so we can give them the tools that they need.
Brandon Johnson, District 1
What background and qualities do you think Wichita’s next police chief should have?
I believe that our next chief of police should be a forward-thinking individual who understands the need to work with the community on all manner of how we are policed. ... They should be ready and willing to engage the community at every level and be open to needed changes that the community is demanding.
What issues should Wichita’s next police chief prioritize?
Community policing, violent crime, catalytic converter theft, and continued improvements in policing are all priorities and issues the next chief will face.
Should Wichita hire a chief from inside or outside of the department?
I believe that someone from the inside has the established relationships to help build consensus and direction, but we have also seen someone like Chief Ramsay come from the outside and do the same. Ultimately, I believe we just need someone with the vision for future policing in Wichita and can build stronger relationships with the community.
Do you think the make up of the department is representative of the community?
I believe we can always do better with diversity with our police department. It has been good to see more women and people of color joining our department, and I have seen that be well received in the community, in addition to the policy revisions to allow tattoos and facial hair.
Are there any policies or programs that you think the next chief should change?
Our next Chief has big shoes to fill. The openness to change and willingness to change policy to benefit our community under Chief Ramsay was a big deal and big reason why I supported him. I am hopeful our next chief will continue that good work for our community.
Becky Tuttle, District 2
At this time, I am extremely interested in hearing what the community feels are important characteristics/experience in our next Wichita Police Department chief. I am excited to have the community participate in a robust engagement process that represents many sectors of the city.
Michael Hoheisel, District 3
What background and qualities do you think Wichita’s next police chief should have?
I hope our new Chief will be open to engaging with the public and listening to their desires for what policing looks like going forward. We need to embrace forward-thinking, 21st century policing policies and prioritize effective methods that not only respond to crime, but also engage with the public to stop crime before it happens.
What issues should Wichita’s next police chief prioritize?
How we react to people in a mental health crisis is one of the main issues our community is grappling with right now, as well as our responses to addiction, sex trafficking, and homelessness. Our next Chief needs to prioritize addressing these underlying issues in a humane way that treats people with respect and dignity. They also need to engage with the public with openness and transparency, and participate in community dialogue.
Should Wichita hire a chief from inside or outside of the department?
The city of Wichita needs to keep their eyes and ears open for the best person for the job, regardless of whether they come from inside the department or outside. We owe it to our citizens to bring in the best possible option.
Do you think the make up of the department is representative of the community?
We have been making strides towards a police force that is more representative of our community, and diversity will always be a good thing. Officers who come from the communities they serve will be better equipped to understand and deal with the issues of people in those communities, and can better foster relationships based on trust and understanding.
Are there any policies or programs that you think the next chief should change?
We must always be flexible when it comes changes to any department of government, especially the police department. We owe it to the people to come up with the best product possible. We have had made strides over the past few years when it comes to reforming the department, but we can always do better. As always, the public is the best driver of this conversation, and our new Chief should listen with an open heart and open mind.
Jeff Blubaugh, District 4
What background and qualities do you think Wichita’s next police chief should have?
We’ve got to have someone that can be trusted both within the police department and the public.
What issues should Wichita’s next police chief prioritize?
Violent crimes, obviously, because we’ve got to have a safe city to be in, and property crimes as well, just because I don’t feel like we put much into that right now. ... And we need to maybe go back to community policing again. That’s that’s been a big loss that I think had a detrimental effect to our city.
Should Wichita hire a chief from inside or outside of the department?
I think we need to look at both.
Do you think the make up of the department is representative of the community?
As I look through the new police coming on, I think we’re doing a pretty good job of, of being very diverse.
Are there any policies or programs that you think the next chief should change?
I’ll reiterate again, we need to get back to community policing again. It’s so important for the trust between the police and the community and as well as having the feet on the ground to where those community police, they know what’s going on in those neighborhoods.
Bryan Frye, District 5
It’s still too early in the process for me. I’d like to hear from the community first to help shape my thoughts before I fully weigh in. Connecting with our neighbors is critical for this hire as we should always be looking for innovative, community based solutions to build a safe environment for all our citizens.
Maggie Ballard, District 6
What background and qualities do you think Wichita’s next police chief should have?
I think the next police chief should be trained and experienced in crisis intervention and community policing strategies. Preferably dealing with youth and at risk communities.
What issues should Wichita’s next police chief prioritize?
Someone willing to try new things and do the work to make sure Wichita is in front of criminal justice issues and best practices.
Should Wichita hire a chief from inside or outside of the department?
I will support the candidate for Chief that is most willing to work hard and be creative and open to trying new things when it comes to addressing our crime rate and mental health crisis in Wichita. Someone from Wichita might help lead our city using experience of what has worked and hasn’t worked in the past, however an outside hire could give new and fresh perspectives.
Do you think the make up of the department is representative of the community?
I believe Chief Ramsay did a great job trying to increase diversity in our police department. However, like with all changes, they take time. It is a priority for me that the new chief is equally dedicated to recruiting diverse officers to the Wichita Police Department.
Are there any policies or programs that you think the next chief should change?
Be open to releasing video footage with less hurdles and increase transparency and communication regularly, support giving the Citizens Review Board access to files and records, commitment to review crisis training requirements and tracking training of officers, as well as additional education requirements for new officers, re-examine policy for officers involved in misconduct or officer-related shootings to be on active duty after an incident, an overall willingness to study best practices in other cities that are doing better than us and find innovative solutions to Wichita’s issues.
This story was originally published February 13, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
