Police Chief Stacey Graves to Deliver Keynote Speech at Park University's Women Reshaping the Criminal Justice Sector Event
Stacey Graves to Speak at Park University's Women Transforming Criminal Justice Event
Stacey Graves, the first woman to serve as the permanent Police Chief of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department (KCPD), will be the featured speaker for Park University's Women Transforming Criminal Justice event on March 13, 2024. The event, sponsored by the Department of Politics and Administration at Park University, will take place virtually at ourwebsiteumedia.com from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Graves, a 25-year KCPD veteran, rose through the ranks from patrol to investigative roles and eventually into command positions. She joined the KCPD in April 1997 as a civilian records clerk before attending the police academy in December of the same year. After her graduation, she held multiple assignments as a police officer.
Graves advanced into leadership roles, serving as an aide to former KCPD Chief Darryl Forté during her career progression. She was promoted to sergeant in 2007 and served in Patrol, the Media Unit as a public information officer, and as an operations sergeant in the chief's office. After being promoted to captain in 2014, Graves was assigned to Internal Affairs before returning to the Media Unit and Patrol.
In 2018, Graves was promoted to major and served as commander of Shoal Creek Division, Human Resources, and as the executive officer in the Patrol Bureau Office. She was appointed as the first woman to serve as permanent chief of the KCPD in December 2022.
Graves' educational background includes studies in leadership, administration of justice, and business administration. She earned an Associate in Arts degree from Metropolitan Community College (Penn Valley campus) and a Bachelor of Arts degree in administration of justice from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. She also obtained an Executive Master of Business Administration degree in leadership from Benedictine College.
As KCPD's permanent police chief, Graves has emphasised community policing and reducing violent crime. Her operational experience across patrol and narcotics/vice investigations gives her practical frontline insight into investigative and enforcement challenges. Her leadership in large-event security policy was evident in her congressional testimony on lessons learned from major security incidents at mass gatherings.
Graves' appointment as the first permanent female chief of KCPD is a milestone for representation and may influence recruitment, training, and culture within the department. She has been actively engaged in community events and functions since her promotion, reflecting her commitment to community engagement.
At the Women Transforming Criminal Justice event, Graves is expected to share her experiences, insights, and vision for the future of criminal justice and policing in Kansas City, Missouri.
- Stacey Graves' educational background includes studies in leadership, business administration, and administration of justice.
- As KCPD's permanent police chief, Graves has emphasized community policing and reducing violent crime.
- Graves' appointment as the first permanent female chief of KCPD is a milestone for representation and may influence recruitment, training, and culture within the department.
- At the Women Transforming Criminal Justice event, Graves is expected to share her experiences, insights, and vision for the future of health-and-wellness, education-and-self-development, career-development, and business in criminal justice and policing.
