Kansas City Missouri Police Chief Rick Smith this morning announced his retirement, effective April 22, 2022.

In a prepared statement, Smith said he came to Kansas City as an officer from Minneapolis, MN in 1987, settling here and raising his family in Kansas City.

“I am proud of all the members of this department I have served with over the years who have worked tirelessly to make KCPD great,” Smith said in a news release. “I am honored to have served the citizens of Kansas City for more than 34 years.”

The Board of Police Commissioners of Kansas City, Mo., announced March 25 that it has selected Joseph Mabin as the Interim  Chief of Police, pending the hiring of a permanent Chief of Police.

Mabin is a 22-year veteran of the department having served in multiple  leadership capacities, including currently as a Deputy Chief.

“We are  confident that the Department will be in good hands during this interim period while we engage with the community in the process of hiring a new Chief,” the announcement read. “This position will be effective immediately following Chief Smith’s last day on the job which will be April 22, 2022. The Interim Chief has  advised us that he will not apply to be the new Chief. Thus, this is truly an  interim position.”