The City of Wichita announced the members of the Community Advisory Search Committee for the next Wichita Police Chief. The committee, recommended by the Wichita Police Department’s organizational assessment, is designed to ensure an open and transparent process as well as broad community participation. The committee includes:
• Kenya Cox – President, Wichita NAACP
• Chris Steincamp - Attorney, Depew Gillen Rathbun & McInteer
• Kristi Edwards – Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Newman University
• Kevass Harding - Pastor, Dellrose United Methodist Church
• Michael Birzer - Professor of Criminal Justice & Director of the School of Community Affairs, Wichita State University
• Patty Koehler - President, J.R. Custom Metals
• Dan Jablonski - Owner, Jablonski & Associates
• Wayne Bell - District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration
The committee serves in an advisory capacity to Wichita City Manager Robert Layton. Members have been involved with screening candidates and conducting interviews with semifinalists. Two finalists will be announced. The City will then provide notice of upcoming opportunities for the public to meet them and offer input.
“Public engagement is extremely important to this process,” Wichita City Manager Robert Layton said. “We hope citizens will make time to meet the finalists and have a strong voice in deciding who will lead the Wichita Police Department.”
