Travis Forbes
Police Chief
In 2021, the community continued to experience ups and downs as levels of the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact us all. Our chief challenge was working to continue to provide quality policing services while keeping staff safe despite the challenges. This was much easier because of our supportive community.
The City of Lee’s Summit continues to grow to over 100,000 residents. The police department also experienced growth in order to keep up with the demands of our vibrant community. Four new call taker positions were added to the 911 emergency communications center. A sergeant position was added to oversee training and staff wellness. Training and education are vital to a professional police force and to assure the safety of our officers and residents. The stressors of policing also require police agencies to help with physical and mental wellness. This new position should aid in this effort.
The police department was able to achieve reaccreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This process evaluates the policies, procedures and activities of the agency by utilizing outside law enforcement professionals and experts. An exhaustive review assures we’re following the best nationwide standards for law enforcement. This process is extremely difficult. I am thankful for the help of our community and staff in guiding us toward this achievement. The City of Lee’s Summit remains one of the few municipalities with four accredited departments, including our partners in Fire, Public Works and Parks and Recreation.
Moving forward, we are certain significant change will continue to challenge us in our task to keep Lee’s Summit safe. As much as things are likely to change, we know that the character of our citizens, businesses, non-profit organizations and other community partners will remain. The people we serve are what makes Lee’s Summit the great place it is. We look forward to the opportunities ahead!