KANSAS CITY, Mo. —The chief of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department announced her intention to retire after four years leading the department. The Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners released a statement Wednesday.
It is with mixed emotions that we share Kansas City Police Department Chief Stacey Graves has announced her intention to retire. While this decision was not anticipated by the Board, we respect Chief Graves’ decision and are deeply grateful for her distinguished service, steady leadership, and unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of Kansas City.
Chief Graves made history as the 48th Police Chief in the Kansas City Police Department’s 148- year history and the first woman to serve as permanent chief. Throughout her 29-year career with KCPD, including four years as Chief, she has led with integrity, professionalism, and purpose—earning the respect of law enforcement leaders, officers, community partners, and residents alike.
Her leadership has had a lasting impact on the department and the community it serves. Under her guidance, KCPD continued advancing its mission as a progressive law enforcement agency committed to public safety, accountability, and community trust. During her tenure, Kansas City saw meaningful reductions in homicides, non-fatal shootings, and property crimes, while KCPD’s homicide clearance rate increased from 58% in 2022 to 93% year to date in 2026.
Chief Graves also helped shape and execute KCPD’s public safety strategy for Kansas City’s role in the World Cup, further positioning the city for positive national and international recognition.
We congratulate Chief Graves on a distinguished career of service and wish her and her family the very best in her well-deserved retirement.
“After careful consideration and prayer, I have made the decision to retire,” says Chief Stacey Graves. “This is a bittersweet decision for me, because I love this department, the men and women of the KCPD, and the community in which we serve. I am thankful for the support of all our community partners and stakeholders. It has been the honor of my life serving in the capacity of Chief of Police. I am committed to serving our city as Chief of Police until the Board of Police Commissioners names a successor.”
The Board will begin a thoughtful and transparent process to select her successor immediately, and we are grateful that Chief Graves has agreed to remain in her role until that process is complete. We will share additional details as plans are finalized.