Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves is retiring from the department after 29 years, she announced on Wednesday.
Graves took over the office in December 2022, becoming the first woman to serve as Kansas City's police chief in a non-interim capacity. At a news conference Thursday, Graves said she made the decision to retire on her own. She said she hopes people remember her as a thoughtful and decisive leader.
“I've given this department in the city my heart and soul, a lot of my time and efforts, and it's time,” Graves said. “There are men and women poised and ready to be the next executive leadership here at KCPD. I know that at some point everybody has to leave this great organization, and I felt like this was the best time for me right now.”
The announcement seemed to take the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners by surprise, according to the statement it released Wednesday.
"While this decision was not anticipated by the Board, we respect Chief Graves’ decision and are deeply grateful for her distinguished service, steady leadership, and unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of Kansas City," the board wrote.
The statement also touted successes under Graves' leadership, including an increase in KCPD's homicide clearance rate from 58% in 2022 to 93% in 2026.
Mayor Quinton Lucas said at Thursday's news conference at police headquarters that Graves’ retirement was “bittersweet.”
“We have been together in this room or on those steps on some very challenging days and on some very good ones,” Lucas said. “But throughout all of them, she's been dedicated. She's been devoted, and she's been a friend to everyone in Kansas City.”
The release announcing Graves’ retirement also noted a meaningful reduction in homicides, nonfatal shootings and property crimes. Homicides and nonfatal shootings are down so far this year, but 2023, the first year of Graves' tenure, set a record.
During her nearly four years in the department's top job, Graves advocated for harsher punishments for violent offenders in juvenile court, called for a new jail, and dealt with ongoing concerns about KCPD officers' conduct.
She was heavily involved in public safety planning for this summer's World Cup.
Graves said she's committed to staying in the role until the Board of Police Commissioners names a successor, which the board said would come through a "thoughtful and transparent process."
Todd Templeton, president of Kansas City’s Fraternal Order of Police, said the organization representing police officers will “look for the same stuff” it saw in Graves when selecting a new leader, like hard work and integrity.
“She's done a phenomenal job working with the community, being a true leader in this department,” Templeton said. “She let the good people of this department run the police department while she was the face of the community, and that's important to us.”
Kansas City is one of the only major U.S. cities that does not locally control its police department. The Board of Police Commissioners is controlled by the state of Missouri, rather than elected Kansas City officials. All but one commissioner— Kansas City's mayor — is appointed by the governor.
The Board of Police Commissioners was heavily criticized for its hiring process in selecting Graves.
Activists were angry that the board held just one public meeting and appeared to ignore community input before hiring Graves. Additionally, KCPD has not hired a chief from outside the department since 1973.
"I will work diligently and swiftly with the Board of Police Commissioners to recruit a worthy replacement to continue our progress at the Kansas City Police Department and for all in our community," Lucas said in a statement.
Celisa Calacal and Savannah Hawley-Bates contributed to this reporting.
