Chief John M. Douglass was appointed Chief of Police in March 1996. As Chief of Police, he introduced a new philosophy involving team approaches to problem solving and participative management.

This new approach allows employees to share in goal setting and decision making for the Department. He also introduced department-wide community policing and problem solving that encourages Department personnel to work closely with the community.

Chief Douglass began his law enforcement career as an Overland Park Police Officer in 1973. During his tenure, he has come up through the ranks holding various positions in every division. He has been assigned as a:

• Patrol Officer
• Detective in the Crimes Against Persons Unit
• Sergeant in Patrol
• Detective Sergeant in the Crimes Against Property Unit

He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1985 and served as a Watch Commander in Patrol and later as Director of Personnel and Training in the Support Services Division. In 1988, he was promoted to Police Major and assigned as Commander of the Operations Division. John Douglass was promoted to the position of Assistant Chief of Police in 1992. In December of 1995, he held the rank of Acting Chief of Police until he was appointed Chief of Police in March of 1996.

Chief Douglass received a bachelor's degree in General Studies with a major in Personnel Administration from the University of Kansas in 1979. He also earned a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas in 1981. Upon graduation, he received the Stanley Fisher Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in the graduate study of Public Administration. Chief Douglass attended the 134th Session of the FBI National Academy in 1983 and the 37th FBI LEEDS program.

Chief Douglass is a member of various local, regional and international organizations including:

• Leadership Overland Park
• Downtown Overland Park Rotary Club
• Johnson County Chiefs of Police Association (President)
• Kansas City Metropolitan Chiefs and Sheriffs Association
• Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police (Past Treasurer)
• International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
• IACP International Law Enforcement Exchange Program Advisory Board
• IACP Ethics and Image Committee
• IACP Legislative Committee Member