Wichita Police Department

The WPD made national news for the killing spree of Dennis Rader, also known as the BTK serial killer, from 1974 to 1978. He was arrested and convicted in 2005.^[3] A tissue sample from his daughter was used to confirm DNA tests that linked Rader to ten killings committed between 1974 and 1991. Homicide Unit Commander Ken Landwehr was the department's expert on the BTK killer case, so the Wichita Police Department's Chief of Police Norman D. Williams assigned Landwehr to head the BTK Task Force in 2004.^[4]

In the Herman Hill riot of 1979, 88 people were arrested and at least 51 were injured.

The Wichita Police Department, in conjunction with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, filed the very first Federal Racketeering case in Kansas history on September 28, 2007. Two indictments name 28 defendants - all Crips Gang members - citing 4 murders, 11 attempted murders, and other crimes including arson, robbery, cocaine, and crack cocaine possession with intent to distribute and transportation of minors to engage in prostitution. According to the indictment,^[5] the Crips formed a criminal enterprise engaging in illegal activities including narcotics trafficking, drive-by shootings, and burglaries; sought to preserve and expand their power through intimidation, threats and assaults; attempted to preserve and protect themselves from interference by law enforcement; and tried to keep their victims in fear through violence and threats.^[6]

The 2017 Wichita swatting that resulted in Witchita resident Andrew Finch being fatally shot by WPD Officer Justin Rapp.

In 2021 and 2022, the WPD received national attention for its lack of action in handling racism and extremism on the force. Department managers failed to appropriately discipline Wichita Police Department members who exchanged racist, sexist and homophobic texts and images. A city report stated the police force mismanaged investigation of the incidents. A committee appointed by Wichita City Manager Robert Layton said the department must "crack down on biased police officers, poor leadership, botched investigations and poor oversight."^[7]

Also in 2021, Chief Lemuel Moore received national attention for disciplining members of the department who had sent extremist and racist messages. Moore has criticized an investigation under his predecessor, Gordon Ramsay, that cleared most of the officers of any wrongdoing in racist messaging and ordered “non-discipline” coaching and mentoring for some of the most egregious messages. An outside organization will be hired to conduct an investigation into the extent of racism and extremism in the police force.^[8]

As of 2000^[update], the WPD had the following demographic profile:^[9]

• Male: 89%
• Female: 11%
• White: 82%
• African-American/Black: 9%
• Hispanic: 5%
• Other: 3%

In 1991, Chief Rick Stone was named "Law Enforcement Officer of the Year" by the United States Marshals Service.^[10]

In 2003, the International Association of Chiefs of Police awarded the department the "Webber Seavey Excellence in Law Enforcement Award" for a project addressing violent crime in the Planeview neighborhood of Wichita.^[11]

Also in 2003, the Boy Scouts of America gave the department the "Whitney Young Jr Community Service Award" for their support of Camp Awareness, a local four-day camp for boys between the ages of 7 and 10.

Discover more about Awards related topics

United States Marshals Service

United States Marshals Service

The United States Marshals Service (USMS) is a federal law enforcement agency in the United States. The USMS is a bureau within the U.S. Department of Justice, operating under the direction of the attorney general, but serves as the enforcement arm of the United States federal courts to ensure the effective operation of the judiciary and integrity of the Constitution. It is the oldest U.S. federal law enforcement agency, created by the Judiciary Act of 1789 during the presidency of George Washington as the "Office of the United States Marshal". The USMS as it stands today was established in 1969 to provide guidance and assistance to U.S. Marshals throughout the federal judicial districts.

International Association of Chiefs of Police

International Association of Chiefs of Police

International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is the world's largest professional association for police leaders.

Neighborhoods of Wichita, Kansas

Neighborhoods of Wichita, Kansas

The following is a list of neighborhoods in Wichita, Kansas, United States.

Boy Scouts of America

Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest scouting organizations and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with about 1.2 million youth participants. The BSA was founded in 1910, and since then, about 110 million Americans have participated in BSA programs. BSA is part of the international Scout Movement and became a founding member organization of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1922.