Richard Smith sworn in as new Chief of Police
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KCPD Media Unit
816-234-5170
Missouri Supreme Court Justice Brent Powell swore in Richard C. Smith as the 45th Chief of Police of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department today.
A standing-room-only crowd of community and department members welcomed Smith as the new Chief at the 9:30 a.m. ceremony at Police Headquarters.
“Being selected to be the Chief of the Kansas City Police Department is a great honor,” Smith said. “I am excited to lead the organization that I have grown up in, where I have been fortunate to build great relationships and friendships along the way.”
Smith joined KCPD as an officer in 1988. As he worked his way up the ranks, he has had assignments in three different patrol divisions, the Robbery and Homicide Units, Tactical Response Teams, Planning and Research Division and Kansas City No Violence Alliance. Most recently he has been assigned as commander of the East and Central Patrol Divisions.
Originally from St. Paul, Minn., Chief Smith has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Park University and a master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Central Missouri. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Chief Smith has served as chair of the Kansas City Police Employees Retirement System since 2011 and as vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police Commanders Lodge No. 102 since 2012. He helped create the Police Foundation of Kansas City and has served as the Department’s liaison since its inception in 2007. He also sits on the Advisory Board of Sheffield Place, an organization that assists homeless mothers and their children.
More opportunities for community members throughout the city to meet and greet Chief Smith will be announced soon.