KCK police chief Rick Armstrong to retire; Ellen Hanson to serve as interim chief

News Release

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- Unified Government County Administrator Dennis Hays announced today the appointment of Ellen Hanson as the interim Chief of the Kansas City, Kan. Police Department.

Hanson, former police chief of the Lenexa Police Department, replaces Chief Rick Armstrong who announced his pending retirement in December. She will take over the role as interim chief in January 2014.

“I am looking forward to a brief return to public service and believe that there is no better place to do this than at the KCK Police Department.”

After a 37-year career in law enforcement, Hanson retired in October 2012. The former Lenexa Chief has roots in Wyandotte County.

Hanson is a 1966 graduate of Wyandotte High School was named to the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools “Reasons to Believe” alumni honor roll in 2006 for her numerous accomplishments.

She has a BA Degree in Political Science from the University of Kansas and a Masters in Management from Baker University.

Hanson is also a 1980 graduate of the FBI’s National Academy and past president of the Johnson County Chiefs and Sheriffs Association and Metropolitan Chiefs and Sheriffs Association.

She became the first female police chief not only in Lenexa, but the Kansas City area. She will also be the first female chief for KCKPD. She currently serves as the interim CEO of Wayside Waifs.

The UG traditionally uses an extensive assessment center selection process in the search for qualified applicants to fill the Chief of Police position.

However, since Hays announced his retirement effective in March of 2014, an interim appointment will be made until his successor makes a permanent selection.

“I believe that it’s best for the police department and the community that the new county administrator appoint the next police chief and therefore, I am opting to appoint an interim chief to serve from January through June of 2014,” says Hays. “Further, the interim chief will not be seeking nor apply for the permanent chief’s position.”

Memorial for KCK homicide victims set for next Monday

The community and families of 2011 homicide victims in Kansas City, Kan., will have the opportunity to remember their lost loved ones with a candle light memorial on Monday, April 30, 2012.

Friends of Yates, Inc.’s C.A.C.E. (Crime Awareness Coordinating Effort) program, District Attorney’s Victim Assistance Program and Kansas City, Kan., Police Department's Victim Services will hold it’s 13th annual Memorial and Candle Lighting Service, in recognition of Crime Victim’s Rights Week.

This event will be held at Forest Grove Baptist Church, located at 1417 N. 9th St., KCK 66101 from 5 - 8 p.m.

The Crime Awareness Coordinating Effort (C.A.C.E) was developed after the death of a ten year old girl in KCK. This tragic event created great concern throughout the community.

On Tuesday, October 27, 1998, a community forum was called by Friends of Yates, Inc. and members of the Baptist Minister’s Union to bring together citizens, businesses, law enforcement agencies, community leaders, and all those concerned about crime and how it affects KCK.

Through Friends of Yates, Inc., a collaborative partnership was formed and became known as the Crime Awareness Coordinating Effort (C.A.C.E).

This year’s C.A.C.E. memorial service will remember the 27 victims of the tragic homicides which occurred in Wyandotte County in 2011.

The theme for this year is “Extending the Vision Reaching Every Victim.” The program will begin with a light dinner at 5 p.m. followed by the memorial service program, which will start promptly at 6:30 p.m.

The confirmed program guests for this year include Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon, Wyandotte County District Attorney Jerome Gorman, KCK Police Chief Rick Armstrong, Wyandotte County Sheriff Don Ash and Kansas U.S. Attorney, Barry Grissom. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information, please contact Arica Roland, 913-321-1566 or email at aroland@friendsofyates.org.