New Kansas City, Kansas, Police Chief Karl Oakman was sworn into office on Monday morning, June 14, in a ceremony at police headquarters.
Chief Oakman, who grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, has served as deputy chief of the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department since 2017. He has been a member of that department for 29 years.
Chief Oakman was selected from a group of four finalists on May 7, and starts his new job today.
“It’s just a very important honor to me not just as chief of police but to return home to a city that raised me and kept me safe in this community,” Chief Oakman said at the swearing-in ceremony.
He said the first thing he would do today is to listen, and to meet with senior command staff and also with all members of the agency to work on solutions to challenges the agency is facing.
Perception in the community is a challenge, he said. Even when the department does its best job, it could always do better to work on the perception in the community, he said. The department needs to spend a lot of time explaining things to the community that it does best, receiving input and addressing challenges, he said.
Chief Oakman said his 29 years in law enforcement have always been hands-on in the community as well as working with staff to do what he can to improve the community, along with career development for members of law enforcement.
“If you focus on things that make you different from others, you’ll never get anything accomplished,” he said. “What I always do is focus on what I can do, what experience, what information I can bring to improve the quality of life of the community as a whole regardless of your socio-economic status, your race, your gender. As a police chief, I’m a police chief for all members of the Kansas City, Kansas, community.”
In the audience at the swearing-in were Chief Oakman’s relatives and friends who helped him as he was growing up in Kansas City, Kansas. There were some challenges to overcome. Oakman’s father died when he was 6 and his mother died when he was 11.
“The most important thing about it is I understand Kansas City, Kansas, I understand what some people may be going through,” Chief Oakman said. “When you have personal experience, you’re able to come up with better solutions to help all that’s involved. At the time, it was tough, but it served me well throughout my life to make better decisions, to show empathy and understand how law enforcement plays a valuable role in the development of individuals’ lives.”
Mayor David Alvey said he was very pleased and excited for the community. There were four excellent finalists for the police chief position, he said.
“I’m looking forward to the perspective he brings, his experience in law enforcement, and also his roots here in KCK will be so helpful,” Mayor Alvey said.
“I’m just glad the process is over,” Unified Government Commissioner Harold Johnson said. It was a thorough process finding a candidate to lead the police department, and now he is excited to see how Chief Oakman will take command of the police department and lead it forward, he said.
Wyandotte County Sheriff Don Ash said this is an important and historic day.
“It’s one that I think will usher in a real energy and enthusiasm,” Sheriff Ash said.