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.”
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.”
