New KCPD Chief Stacey Graves: How Will Activists Undermine Her?!?

From our vantage this is the best decision the police board has made in a long time.

It might be perfect. In fact, it's a sign of historic progress and anyone who has ever met Maj. Graves knows that she brings a great deal of skill and compassion to the job.

And that leads us to our post title question: 

HOW WILL KANSAS CITY ACTIVISTS SABOTAGE HER TENURE?!?!

It'll be laughable to call her a racist because, in fact, she's far from that and has an EXCEPTIONAL record of working in the community. 

City Hall will have a hard time playing up bureaucratic controversies against her because of her media skill and connections. 

Obviously there will be the same old fight about funding but that's two year old story with very little progress. 

Stereotypical allegations that she's unfeeling or uncaring will be a tough sell to so many newsies who know her to be a very personable and thoughtful police leader. 

Okay . . . Who are we kidding?? 

They're going to call her racist. They'll call her racist over and over again until it sticks. 

Accordingly . . .

Here's a roundup of today's "news" that our blog community predicted two weeks ago . . .

Deputy Chief Stacey Graves was hired over finalists DeShawn Beaufort from the Philadelphia Police Department and Scott Ebner, a retired lieutenant colonel for the New Jersey State Police.

Graves, who has been acting deputy chief, is a veteran of the Kansas City Police Department with more than 25 years of experience. She currently commands the Patrol Bureau and oversees all six patrol division stations and the traffic and special operations divisions.

"I'm humbled to serve the men and women of this department and our city. I'm confident in my ability in continuing to advance the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department as a progressive law enforcement agency and trusted community partner," Graves said following the announcement.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Deputy Chief Stacey Graves hired as next Kansas City police chief

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Deputy Chief Stacey Graves will be Kansas City's next police chief. She will be the first permanent female police chief in the Kansas City Police Department's history. Two women have previously served as interim chief.

The informal workings of Kansas City's state-appointed police board

Kansas City's Board of Police Commissioners on Thursday carried out one of its highest-profile responsibilities when members announced they had chosen police Maj.

Stacey Graves named new chief of Kansas City Police Department

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners announced the city police department's chief of police will be Acting Deputy Chief Stacey Graves. Graves has more than 25 years of experience serving in the Kansas City Missouri Police Department. She is the first female police chief in the department's history.

Deputy Chief Stacey Graves named next KCPD chief of police

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Following a months-long process, the Kansas City, Missouri, Board of Police Commissioners has named Acting Deputy Chief Stacey Graves as the city's next chief of police. Commissioners announced the selection Thursday morning. Lots of handshakes and hugs from people she has worked with from her start as a records clerk to her most recent position as acting Deputy Chief.

Graves named as new KCPD Chief

Kansas City's Board of Police Commissioners has chosen Deputy Chief Stacey Graves as the new Chief of Police. Graves is a 25-year department veteran and has served in a number of roles with the department, mostly recently as Commander of the Patrol Bureau overseeing the over 900 sworn and 109 non-sworn department positions.

Kansas City Police Board names KCPD veteran Stacey Graves as chief after much-criticized search

The Board of Police Commissioners selected Acting Deputy Chief Stacey Graves, who's been with the department for more than 25 years, to lead the Kansas City Police Department. Activists - and even Mayor Quinton Lucas - criticized the hiring process for lacking transparency and community input.

Kansas City's Board of Police Commissioners has named the new KCPD Chief

The Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners has selected the next Kansas City, Missouri Police Chief.A familiar face will be filling the role.The board announced Thursday morning that acting KCPD Deputy Chief Stacey Graves will become the next chief of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.

Developing . . .