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Wichita Police Department

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Wichita Police Department
AbbreviationWPD
Agency overview
Employees862[1]
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionWichita, Kansas, USA
Map of Wichita Police Department's jurisdiction
Size138.9 square miles (360 km2)
Population397,532 (2020)[2]
General nature
Operational structure
Headquarters455 N Main Street, Wichita, Kansas
Agency executive
Website
Wichita Police

The Wichita Police Department (WPD) is the primary law enforcement agency serving Wichita, Kansas. Wichita Police Department’s jurisdiction overlaps with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.

Current chief

Chief Lemuel Moore is a 30 year veteran of the Wichita Police Department who began his career in January of 1991. Moore was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief on January 8, 2022, and commands the Administrative/Support Services Division. In March of 2022, Moore was appointed as the Interim Chief of Police where he serves currently.[3]

Moore received national attention in July 2022, when members of the police force were disciplined for extremist and racist messages. Moore has criticized an investigation under his predecessor, Gordon Ramsay, that cleared most of the officers of any wrongdoing in racist messaging and ordered “non-discipline” coaching and mentoring for some of the most egregious messages. An outside organization will be hired to conduct an investigation into the extent of racism and extremism in the police force.[4]

Organization

Rank structure

Title Insignia
Chief of Police
Deputy Chief (Division Commander)
Captain (Bureau Commander)
Lieutenant (Watch/Unit Commander)
Sergeant
Detective
Police Officer

Investigation Division

  • Property Crimes Bureau
  • Crimes Against Persons Bureau
  • Special Investigations Bureau
  • Technical Services Bureau
  • Victim's Assistance Unit[5]

Property Crimes Bureau

Crimes Against Persons Bureau

  • Accident Follow-Up
  • Gang Unit/Night Investigations
  • Homicide
  • Robbery
  • Sex Crimes/Felony Assault/Domestic Violence
  • Exploited/Missing Children Unit

Special Investigations Bureau

  • Administrative Section
  • Undercover Section

Demographics

As of 2000, the WPD had the following demographic profile:[6]

  • Male: 89%
  • Female: 11%
  • White: 82%
  • African-American/Black: 9%
  • Hispanic: 5%
  • Other: 3%

New recruit training

Recruits have been trained with the recruits from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office since 1985 at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Training Center (WSCLETC). Training consists of 23 weeks of basic training and an additional 336 hours of training for the particular needs of the Metropolitan City of Wichita.

Notable events

The WPD made national news for the killing spree of Dennis Rader, also known as the BTK serial killer, from 1974 to 1978. He was arrested and convicted in 2005.[7] A tissue sample from his daughter was used to confirm DNA tests that linked Rader to ten killings committed between 1974 and 1991. Homicide Unit Commander Ken Landwehr was the department's expert on the BTK killer case, so the Wichita Police Department's Chief of Police Norman D. Williams assigned Landwehr to head the BTK Task Force in 2004.[8]

In the Herman Hill riot of 1979, 88 people were arrested and at least 51 were injured.

The Wichita Police Department, in conjunction with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, filed the very first Federal Racketeering case in Kansas history on September 28, 2007. Two indictments name 28 defendants - all Crips Gang members - citing 4 murders, 11 attempted murders, and other crimes including arson, robbery, cocaine, and crack cocaine possession with intent to distribute and transportation of minors to engage in prostitution. According to the indictment,[9] the Crips formed a criminal enterprise engaging in illegal activities including narcotics trafficking, drive-by shootings, and burglaries; sought to preserve and expand their power through intimidation, threats and assaults; attempted to preserve and protect themselves from interference by law enforcement; and tried to keep their victims in fear through violence and threats.[10]

The 2017 Wichita swatting that resulted in Witchita resident Andrew Finch being fatally shot by WPD Officer Justin Rapp.

In 2021 and 2022, the WPD received national attention for its lack of action in handling racism and extremism on the force. Department managers failed to appropriately discipline Wichita Police Department members who exchanged racist, sexist and homophobic texts and images. A city report stated the police force mismanaged investigation of the incidents. A committee appointed by Wichita City Manager Robert Layton said the department must "crack down on biased police officers, poor leadership, botched investigations and poor oversight."[11]

Awards

1991 Police Chief Rick Stone named "Law Enforcement Officer of the Year"

The United States Department of Justice Marshal's Service selected Wichita Police Chief Rick Stone for this honor "on the basis of outstanding professionalism and law enforcement leadership." At the award ceremony in the nation's capitol, Chief Stone passed the credit on to his officers and staff.[12]

2003 Webber Seavey Excellence in Law Enforcement Award [13] for the "Planeview Project" in recognition for promoting a standard of excellence that exemplifies law enforcement's contribution and dedication to the quality of life in local communities. The award is named for Webber S. Seavey, first president of the IACP (International Association of Chiefs of Police). According to the IACP, "the problem oriented policing "Planeview Project" was developed and implemented to address an increase in violent crime in the Planeview area of Wichita. The project set the following goals: reduce violent and juvenile crime, enhance citizen relationships, develop partnerships with key stakeholders, address neighborhood blight and instill a sense of pride and ownership in the area. Through a number of sustained policing strategies, the Project yielded impressive results in 2002. Juvenile crime dropped 32 percent from June through September, auto burglaries fell by 12 percent, and residential burglaries were reduced by 3 percent during the same time period. In addition, larcenies dropped by 8 percent and vandalism - including graffiti - decreased by 9 percent. There has not been a homicide in Planeview since December 31, 2001. Aggravated assaults dropped by 57 percent and simple assaults by 78 percent in 2002."

2003 Boy Scouts of America Whitney Young Jr Community Service Award

Camp Awareness is supported by the Wichita Police Department and the Boy Scouts of America. This camp is a four-day camp for boys between the ages of 7 and 10 that are not in the Cub Scout Program. The boys are recruited through schools and other community organizations. Summer day camp activities include swimming, archery, arts and crafts, and field games.

Fallen officers

Since the establishment of the Wichita Police Department, 23 officers have died while on duty.[14] They include the following:

  • Captain Clay Morsell Germany, EOW: Friday, July 9, 2021, Cause: COVID-19
  • Lieutenant John Eugene Galvin, EOW: Saturday, November 4, 2000, Cause: Explosion
  • Police Officer Danny Dean Laffey, EOW: Tuesday, January 5, 1982, Cause: Struck by Vehicle
  • Police Officer Paul Garofalo, EOW: Saturday, November 8, 1980, Cause: Gunfire
  • Patrolman David A. Kenyon, EOW: Friday, October 26, 1962, Cause: Gunfire
  • Detective Merle Rankin Colver, EOW: Friday, August 14, 1931, Cause: Gunfire
  • Lieutenant James O. Pugh, EOW: Friday, August 1, 1930, Cause: Motorcycle Crash
  • Patrolman Paul E. Gilmore, EOW: Friday, July 18, 1930, Cause: Motorcycle Crash
  • Patrolman Joseph Earl Marshall, EOW: Tuesday, August 9, 1927, Cause: Gunfire
  • Patrolman Vernon G. Ogden, EOW: Sunday, June 26, 1927, Cause: Vehicle Pursuit
  • Patrolman Edward F. Hall, EOW: Friday, April 10, 1925, Cause: Gunfire
  • Patrolman Harrison R. Brown, EOW: Sunday, January 4, 1925, Cause: Gunfire
  • Patrolman Robert C. Scudder, EOW: Tuesday, November 27, 1923, Cause: Gunfire
  • Detective Charles E. Galloway, EOW: Sunday, July 15, 1923, Cause: Duty Related Illness
  • Detective Charles D. Hoffman, EOW: Wednesday, November 23, 1921, Cause: Gunfire
  • Patrolman Robert Fitzpatrick, EOW: Monday, November 21, 1921, Cause: Gunfire
  • Patrolman A. L. Young, EOW: Saturday, November 5, 1921, Cause: Gunfire
  • Detective William H. Ballard, EOW: Tuesday, July 20, 1920, Cause: Gunfire
  • Captain Frank W. Griswold, EOW: Sunday, May 23, 1915, Cause: Gunfire
  • Detective William L. Humphries, EOW: Tuesday, February 23, 1915, Cause: Gunfire
  • Patrolman S. A. Hartzell, EOW: Friday, December 14, 1888, Cause: Gunfire
  • Patrolman Henry Ebenhack, EOW: Monday, September 24, 1888, Cause: Gunfire
  • Patrolman J. W. Kerwin, EOW: Friday, March 23, 1888, Cause: Gunfire (Inadvertent)

A memorial was erected on McLean Blvd. to honor Sedgwick County law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. However, it was removed as traffic patterns were changed. The current memorial, located on the southwest corner of Central and Main, was dedicated in August 2011.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ Wichita Police site
  2. ^ "Table 1: Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places Over 100,000, Ranked by July 1, 2007 Population: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2007" (CSV). 2007 Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau, Population Division. 2008-07-10. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  3. ^ "Wichita Police Department Chief of Police Lemuel Moore". www.wichita.gov. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
  4. ^ Stavola, Michael (July 21, 2021). "Wichita on watch for extremism in police ranks after officer texted praise of militia group". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
  5. ^ WichitaPolice.com [1]
  6. ^ Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics, 2000: Data for Individual State and Local Agencies with 100 or More Officers Archived September 27, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Police Chief Magazine
  8. ^ "National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund". Archived from the original on 2007-08-12. Retrieved 2007-08-12.
  9. ^ USDOJ
  10. ^ Article by Axcess News
  11. ^ Associated Press, "Committee criticizes Wichita police misconduct, racism," April 21, 2022 [2]
  12. ^ "Chief chosen best in U.S.- A summer of professionalism" Wichita Eagle. November 26, 1991
  13. ^ International Association of Chiefs of Police
  14. ^ "Wichita Police Department, KS". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2022-07-28.
  15. ^ "Sedgwick County Law Enforcement Memorial -- Wichita KS". Waymarking. Groundspeak. Retrieved 2022-07-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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