Kansas City Officer Serves Hometown, Accomplishing Goal

Image of Officer Ade Bookhart

Growing up on both sides of the Missouri River gave Ade Bookhart a wide perspective, stretching from Tracy and the “deep 40s” to the country in the Northland.

“I was exposed to different ways of living,” Bookhart said. “I had friends in trailers and mansions, and being exposed to all of it helped me communicate with people.”

His communication skills help him connect with community members, serving as a police officer at KCPD. Bookhart graduated from the police academy at 23, completing a lifelong goal. By doing so, he continued a family practice. Bookhart’s aunt and uncle served at KCPD before joining the FBI.

As a pre-teen, Bookhart joined Big Brothers Big Sisters. There, a major at KCPD mentored him. The experience was positive and in high school, Bookhart enrolled in a law enforcement program that confirmed his desire to become an officer. Today, he patrols from East Patrol Division.

“I absolutely love it,” Bookhart exclaimed. “You get a variety of everything and you get a lot of experience here. You’re exposed to everything in this job.”

The range of job duties is key. The former football player, wrestler, track athlete, and mixed martial arts aficionado didn’t like the monotony that came with the jobs he had before making it into the police academy.

Though he’s a new officer, long-term goals are in place. One day, Bookhart hopes to join KCPD’s Tactical Response Team and Fugitive Apprehension Unit.

“I looked at other agencies, but they didn’t have the options we have,” Bookhart said. “Here, they say, ‘We’ll teach you how to fly a helicopter.’ You can do IT security. You have avenues.”

#BlackHistoryMonth

KCPD has police officer positions available. Interested? Apply here.