Stacey Graves Sworn In as Chief of Police

Chief Stacey Graves was sworn in as the Kansas City Missouri Police Department’s new Chief of Police on Dec. 15 before a crowded community room at police headquarters.

Earlier in the morning, the Board of Police Commissioners announced that Graves would become the new Chief. Graves takes over for Interim Police Chief Joseph Mabin, who had been in the role since April.

Graves is a 25-year veteran of the department who began her career as a civilian records clerk in 1997. She becomes the first woman in KCPD’s 148-year history to become named as permanent police chief.

Most recently, Graves commanded the Patrol Bureau which oversees all six patrol stations, as well as traffic and special operations divisions. The Patrol Bureau has 918 sworn and 109 non-sworn positions.

As a major, Graves managed the Shoal Creek Patrol Division (109,213 residents and over 74.6 miles). She led the Human Resources Division during KCPD's pandemic response. She was the Patrol Bureau's Executive Officer before being named the Acting Deputy Chief. Some of Graves’ other assignments included the Drug Enforcement Unit, The Media Unit, and Internal Affairs.

Graves has an Executive Master of Business Administration from Benedictine College and earned a B.A. in Administration of Justice from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.