Overland Park looking for community input in search for Chief of Police

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (KCTV) - Nearly nine months after a heated confrontation coincided with the resignation of Overland Park’s police chief, the city is continuing its community-based approach to hiring for the role.

On Monday, the City of Overland Park opened a public survey for residents to provide their input on the “qualities and values important for our next Chief of Police for the Overland Park Police Department,” Overland Park’s Facebook page said.

“As we begin this national search, we’re looking for residents, visitors and others to share their priorities for this role via an anonymous online survey.”

Overland Park said would shape the talent profile it entertains for the position.

According to Overland Park Communications Manager, Meg Ralph, the interview process won’t begin until the survey is complete.

“This person works with the community a lot, their decisions will impact how people interact with the government and police,” Ralph said. “We want to make sure there is input from the community for this position.”

Ralph said an outside recruiting agency will start looking for candidates that fit the priorities after June 16. The city manager will make the final decision and approve the position.

The survey announcement comes less than a month after Overland Park announced that it hired Public Sector Search and Consulting, a recruiting firm that specializes in helping cities find police leaders.

“It is extremely important that we engage the community to learn what residents and visitors want in a Police Department leader,” Overland Park City Manager Lori Curtis Luther said in May. “Police officers earn public by living our community’s values. I am eager to hear their thoughts and begin our search in earnest.”

The search for a new police chief comes almost a year after Frank Donchez, the claimed he was not forced to resign -- while the City said it was in the process of terminating him -- but chose to step down after a heated exchange with Overland Park resident Sheila Albers was made public.

Sheila Albers is the mother of John Albers, a teenager who was shot and killed by an Overland Park police officer in 2018.

In an email sent to city leaders in September 2023, Sheila Albers said Donchez made cruel remarks about her and her husband’s parenting after she pressed him for ability after a Monday evening City Council meeting.

“He said, ‘I am sure you and Steve tell everyone you were the best parents. I read the OISIT report.’ I replied with, ‘John struggled with his mental health.’ Donchez replied, ‘And you left him at his time of need.’”

Donchez resigned the next night but told the Washington Post in an interview that it was his choice.

Overland Park said the survey is open until Sunday, June 16. To learn about the process and fill out the survey, visit this link.