Wichita seeks private search firm to recruit a new police chief

Wichita city officials plan to hire a private search firm to recruit a new police chief to replace Gordon Ramsay.

Ramsay, hired by the city in 2016, announced last month that he will resign March 1 and move back to Minnesota, where he is exploring a run for sheriff in St. Louis County.

The new chief will face rising violent crime in Kansas’ largest city and calls for the city to release the names of officers when they use deadly force or kill civilians, a measure Ramsay has not supported.

The city of Wichita released a request for proposals for the search firm on the city’s website Tuesday.

The document gives a first glimpse at what traits City Manager Robert Layton is looking for in Ramsay’s replacement.

The RFP says the city is seeking an “experienced, approachable, and collaborative” police chief who will be “expected to expand upon the innovative policing practices and community engagement efforts of the department, and to have a proven track record of openness, transparency and working with diverse communities.”

Requirements for new police chief, according to the RFP:

▪ 9 years experience in law enforcement, 3 years as a supervisor or administrator

▪ College degree with emphasis in police science, police administration, criminology or a related field

▪ Patrol experience

▪ Experience in community relations, investigations and special operations “highly desired”

▪ Experience being “persuasive and influential with a governing board, body, or leadership team and soliciting community engagement”

“However, the most important hiring consideration will be the individual’s emotional intelligence and leadership qualities,” the RFP says.

The chief oversees a department of about 900 employees and reports directly to the city manager.

The RFP lists the annual salary range for the position between $130,000 and $217,360.

Ramsay is the second highest paid city employee behind City Manager Robert Layton, with a total compensation package of $224,056.64 in 2020.

During Ramsay’s time as chief, Wichita’s violent crime rate increased from 9.8 violent offenses per 1,000 people in 2015 to 13.5 in 2020, more than three times the statewide average, according to the latest Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s annual crime index.

Wichita’s crime rate factored into Ramsay’s decision to leave, he told Fox21 in his hometown of Duluth.

“I really want my kids to grow up in that environment where you aren’t worried about your safety,” Ramsay said in the interview with Fox.

In a statement to The Eagle, Ramsay said: “Being a police chief takes a toll on families and mine was no exception. In my six years as Wichita’s Chief, my family experienced me missing events and having to be focused more on work than on them. We have also experienced threats of harm leading to concerns for their safety and stressful situations related to an unprecedented year in 2020 of anti-police sentiment.

“As police chief, I have always strived and looked for innovative ways to help reduce crime in Wichita and ensure WPD is operating among industry standards to reduce crime. In 2021, Wichita experienced an 8% decrease in homicides and a 3% decrease in overall violent crimes when compared to 2020. While the homicide rate has risen significantly in major cities our numbers have dropped.”

The selection firm will be chosen by Layton with input from a not-yet-formed Police Chief Selection Committee and the city’s human resources manager.

The firm will help develop a candidate profile, screen and recruit candidates and design an interview process. It will then present a list of 10 candidates to the selection committee.

Search firm proposals are due by Jan. 31. The city’s RFP schedule indicates that a search firm could be selected by February 14.

After a list of finalists is selected, the city will hold town hall meetings where the public can address the candidates, Layton told The Eagle last month.

This story was originally published January 5, 2022 at 2:47 PM.