KCPD Chief Darryl Forte confirmed via Twitter he will be retiring on May 20.
I will be retiring from KCPD effective 5/20/17. I appreciate the support I have received from everyone. It has been a honor serving.
— chiefforte (@ChiefForte) March 22, 2017
In a tweet posted Wednesday morning, Chief Forte said, "I appreciate the support I have received from everyone. It has been an honor serving."
Forte is in his sixth year as chief of police.
Mayor Sly James released a statement Wednesday afternoon regarding Chief Forte's retirement.
"Chief Forte's leadership has been very valuable to our city. I have enjoyed the working relationship we've maintained and I will always consider him a friend," said Mayor James.
Mayor James also said that the Board of Police Commissioners will begin the process of finding a new chief.
On March 8, Chief Forte wrote in a blog post, "I am proud and honored to serve such an engaged community and will continue to work together to make our city safe. Your continued support is needed and truly appreciated."
Chief Darryl Forte: A look back
The KC Native has worked for the department since 1985.
In October 2011 he took over as top cop, becoming the first black police chief in the city's history, and has been very visible during his tenure.
Forte is known for riding around on his motorcycle during his off time, his activity on social media, and showing up to just about every homicide in Kansas City, making 2016 very busy for the chief.
In 2016 there were 128 homicides, the deadliest in the last 8 years.
In 2014, Kansas City had its lowest homicide rate since 1967, with 82.
Aggravated Assaults have also reached a high under Forte’s watch. In 2015 the department reported 4524 cases, compared to 3872 in 2012.
Forte is credited with building relationships in the community in a pretty progressive way for a chief.
“I think it it absolutely vital that this community have a police chief that does not fear his community, that embraces community, that holds community up… that is part of community, part of that community. Chief was really good at bridging that divide,” said Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.
After several cases of officer involved shootings and protests, including one down the road in Ferguson, Kansas City has received national praise for keeping calm under his watch.
Forte’s administration has also included the creation of a diversity officer. He is on the board of the Kansas City No Violence Alliance (KC NOVA). he department’s “Area Crime Initiative” was rolled out as a result of KC NOVA. In his blog, Forte says the goal is to attack violent crime by relying on real time data, all while building positive community relations.
In 2017, Forte tried something new to tackle violence. The chief opened his door to people in the community, working to stop violence. He hosted several Meet the Chief events.
“He’s been very open to suggestions, very open to criticism and has also been very forthcoming with the truth as he sees it,” said Damon Daniel, president of Ad Hoc Group Against Crime.
"He is one of the people that we are really going to miss. He leaves a legacy, a good legacy. Someone is going to have shoes to fill,” said Rosilyn Temple of KC Mothers in Charge.
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