Whether you’re headed out of town or staying home for the holidays, follow these tips to be sure the Grinch doesn’t steal your holiday cheer. Make your house look occupied. Smart bulbs or outlets, lights on timers and a car parked in the driveway will make others think someone’s home. Consider investing in a smart […]
The Overland Park Police Department is proud to announce the launch of a new community-focused program to improve interactions between first responders and community members with developmental disabilities, mental health needs, or other sensitive concerns. The program aims to improve communications between first responders and the community, providing practical resources to help officers, firefighters, and […]
Traveling this spring and summer? Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a long vacation, a few simple precautions can help protect your home while you’re away. Here’s how to keep your home secure during your travels: Lock the doors and windows. Be sure your garage door makes it all the way down before you pull […]
The Overland Park Police Department, in partnership with Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, invites the community to a heartfelt event honoring Officer Deanna Rose on the 40th anniversary of her end-of-watch. Join us at a ceremony commemorating Officer Rose’s dedication and ultimate sacrifice for the Overland Park community on Monday, Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m. at […]
Don’t let the Grinch steal your holiday gifts this year! The holiday shopping season is in full swing. Follow these tips from the Overland Park Police Department to safeguard your holiday giving: Install a doorbell video camera to deter thieves. Security cameras reduce the likelihood that a thief will stop on your porch. If they […]
Overland Park Police Officer Wes Griffith and Officer Bill Koehn received the Innovations in Community Policing Award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Held at the United States Department of Justice, the Seventh Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing honors exceptional achievements in fostering public safety and community trust. The Innovations […]
The City of Overland Park is proud to announce its next Chief of Police, swearing in Doreen Jokerst on Oct. 14. Jokerst hit the ground running during her first week as police chief, touring City facilities and familiarizing herself with the Overland Park Police Department. Chief Jokerst started her first week by meeting with officers […]
In honor of National Service Dog Month, we’re shining the spotlight on Haven, a special member of the Overland Park Police Department’s Crisis Action Team. Haven, a rescued dog from an animal shelter in Texas, dedicates her life to serving the Overland Park community as a Critical Incident Response Team K-9. OPCAT officers are highly […]
The City of Overland Park is proud to announce the hire of Doreen Jokerst as the city’s next Chief of Police. Jokerst comes to Overland Park from the University of Colorado Boulder, where she served for six years as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Safety and Chief of Police, guiding her department to become […]
Registration is now open for the Community Emergency Response Team training! Overland Park’s emergency management division offers CERT training at no cost, empowering residents to assist each other and address immediate lifesaving and life-sustaining needs during emergencies. In the aftermath of a major disaster, first responders may be overwhelmed by the demand for fire and […]
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a police officer? The Overland Park Police Department’s Community Police Academy offers residents an opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of police work, fostering stronger relationships between the community and the police department. This nine-week-long program is designed to provide in-depth knowledge and hands-on experiences in […]
June 18 Update: The recruitment profile for Overland Park’s next police chief is now available. See the position description, recruitment brochure and more on the Public Sector Search and Consulting website. The community survey is now closed. June 3 Update: The City continues to seek input from the community on qualities and values that the […]
The City is hiring its next police chief. The City will hire an executive recruitment firm to conduct a nationwide search for a chief and engage the community and officers regarding their priorities for a Police Department leader. A committee of community representatives will select the contractor to do this work. The selected contractor will […]
To comply with federal policy, the Overland Park Police Department will encrypt its police radios starting on January 23. Radio encryption means that the public will no longer be able to listen to Overland Park Police Department’s radio channels on a police scanner or online. In lieu of police radio traffic being available over the […]
Leaving your car running unattended to warm up in winter could leave you frozen out of a ride to work or school. It is not just illegal – it’s risky. In Overland Park, stolen vehicles are among the top reported crimes in winter. Thieves see an idling car like a sitting duck and can drive away […]
As many of us take advantage of the ease of online shopping ahead of the holidays, potential porch pirates can threaten to steal our holiday spirit….and our packages. Here are five strategies to protect your deliveries (and your peace of mind) this holiday season: Track and/or schedule your deliveries Most online orders provide tracking information […]
The City is honoring the life and service of former Overland Park Police Chief Myron E. Scafe, who passed away this week. Scafe was Overland Park’s longest-serving police chief, from 1971-1995. Prior to leading the department, Scafe made his way up through the ranks of the Overland Park Police Department. Scafe’s service to the community […]
The Overland Park Fire and Police Departments, along with volunteers, invite individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to Friends of First Responders Day on Saturday, October 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Overland Park Fire Training Center located at 12401 Hemlock St. Watch demonstrations and participate in hands-on activities alongside local […]
At the September 11 City Council meeting, Mayor Skoog proclaimed September 2023 as National Service Dog Month in Overland Park, a momentous occasion celebrating the incredible contributions that service dogs make to our community. To honor the recognition, we asked the City’s resident service dog, Haven, to share a bit about her important work. My […]
The Overland Park Police Department is pleased to announce the completion of a pledge to enhance trust, accountability and collaboration between police and the community it protects and serves. Developed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the pledge is part of the Trust Building Campaign initiative. To join the Trust Building Campaign, […]
The Overland Park Police Department is partnering with Kia and Hyundai to help protect drivers from vehicle theft. Certain Kia and Hyundai vehicles with steel key ignitions pose an increased risk of theft. Overland Park residents who drive a qualifying vehicle may pick up a free steering wheel lock at one of OPPD’s lock distribution […]
Celebrate community and camaraderie alongside Overland Park Police Department officers at this year’s National Night Out on Tuesday, August 1 from 5-7 p.m. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy hot dogs, snacks and refreshments while connecting with your neighbors and local law enforcement. National Night Out will occur simultaneously at two locations: Sapling Grove Park, […]
Overland Park now has more access to information about its Police Department than ever, thanks to a library of online transparency-focused resources. The new Police Transparency page of the City’s website includes summaries of how the Overland Park Police Department approaches a variety of topics, including: Anti-biased policing efforts De-escalation and response to resistance Department […]
The Overland Park Crisis Action Team has hit the ground running in 2022, and there’s already a new four-legged team member on board. The behavioral health unit, known as OPCAT, welcomed Critical Incident Response Team K-9 Haven. Chief Frank Donchez swore Haven in to the Department at last night’s Public Safety committee meeting. OPCAT began […]
Overland Park Police Department’s behavioral health unit is already beginning its important work. The Overland Park Crisis Action Team, or OPCAT, will begin full operations in 2022, with 12 crisis intervention-trained police officers and three Johnson County Mental Health co-responders ready to serve the public. The Overland Park Police Department receives, on average, seven mental […]
The past year has brought up many emotions, from confusion to worry to anger to sadness. It’s taken a toll on people’s mental health, too: around four in 10 adults in the United States have reported symptoms of anxiety or depression during the coronavirus pandemic. During May, we recognize the growing importance of mental health, […]
June 23, 2021 Update: Overland Park officials, responding to a recent open records request, discovered a series of still photos captured from an in-car police camera video that had been previously released to the public. The content of the photos is not new; it is simply a different format than the previously-released dashcam video which […]
At last night’s Public Safety meeting, Overland Park Police Department Chief Frank Donchez shared the ways his department is meeting the Kansas Commission on Racial Equity and Justice’s recommendations. The department is meeting and will continue to work at nearly all of the commission’s 24 recommendations, Donchez said. Some of those recommendations include: Increasing transparency […]
A section of 123rd Street now has a new name: Mike Mosher Boulevard. The name change honors fallen Overland Park Police Officer Mike Mosher, who was killed in the line of duty earlier this year. Last night, City Council approved renaming 123rd Street between Blue Valley Parkway and Metcalf. Police Chief Frank Donchez took input […]
The Overland Park Police Department’s annual trunk-or-treat event is going virtual for 2020. Typically, officers host trunk-or-treaters in the parking lot at Myron E. Scafe building for a Halloween celebration and decorating contest. This year, the physical event is will take place in your own driveway! This event is possible thanks to support from the […]
Overland Park Police officers will be out at your local Target stores during the month of August to collect school supplies for local students. The department’s Community Policing unit will collect supplies for Blue Valley School District and Shawnee Mission School District students. Officers will collect: Boxes of 24 Crayola crayons Boxes of 8 Crayola […]
Friday night, Overland Park Police officers monitoring a protest near 116th and Quivira arrested four people. Prior to the protest, the Overland Park Police Department held conversations with both the protest organizers and residents living near the expected protest area. The Department also received information that there may be counterprotests during the planned protest. Beginning […]
Tuesday and Wednesday, memorial services for Officer Mike Mosher will affect traffic near College and Metcalf. Tuesday during Officer Mosher’s drive-thru visitation at the Overland Park Convention Center from 4-6 p.m. During Tuesday’s visitation, 110th Street will be closed between Woodson and Lamar (north of the Overland Park Convention Center) to allow for visitation traffic. […]
Late Sunday afternoon, an Overland Park Police Department officer was killed in the line of duty. Officer Mike Mosher was killed while investigating a hit-and-run call near 123rd and Antioch. Mosher was on his way into work when he accepted the call. “It’s a difficult, difficult thing to know that one of our officers is […]
In an effort to increase transparency, uniformed officers with the Overland Park Police Department will now be wearing body cameras while on patrol. More than 200 officers working in traffic safety, emergency services, patrol, community policing, and school resource officers will wear the cameras. Cameras can capture audio and video anytime the camera is powered […]
A new internet exchange zone outside the Sanders Justice Center, 12400 Foster, allows for the safe exchange of local online transactions. The parking stalls are located at the far south end of the public parking lot on the east side of the building. They are designated with green paint and a sign that reads “Internet […]
The Overland Park Police Department is taking back unwanted and unused prescription drugs. On Saturday, April 27, drop your medications off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at any of the following locations: Myron E. Scafe Police Station – 8500 Antioch Rd. Sanders Justice Center – 12400 Foster St. Price Chopper – 7000 W. 75th […]