Police Chief Harrison announces resignation
Independence Police Department Chief Jerry Harrison has announced his resignation, effective April 5, as he plans to relocate to his home state of Missouri where he will assume the chief of police position for the city of Lebanon, population 15,000. Harrison was officially appointed to the role by the Lebanon City Commission at a meeting Monday evening.
“It’s difficult to leave the community I’ve called home for the past eight years, the friends I’ve made and the colleagues I’ve had the opportunity to serve with,” Harrison said. “However, this opportunity represents an advancement for my career and a chance to relocate closer to my roots and family.”
Harrison joined the Independence force in March 2016, relocating from Monett, Missouri, where he served as a police sergeant. In his eight years as Independence police chief, he said his proudest accomplishments have included the establishment of the Chief’s Community Advisory Council, the recruitment of several excellent officers to round out the local force and a collaborative effort between staff in Independence and partners in Texas to honor a fallen Independence officer from more than a century ago. In 2021, Harrison and his team advocated to get Charles “C.A.” McKinney named to the Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial and National Law Enforcement Memorial. McKinney was serving as the assistant police chief in Independence when he was killed in the line of duty on March 21, 1920, while answering a call at the former Kasigan Gas Company at 119 E. Main. A plaque honoring McKinney has been installed on the building at that location.
Independence City Manager Kelly Passauer said an interim chief will be named in the coming days, and the City will launch a search for a permanent replacement regionally, nationally and among internal candidates.
“We’ve appreciated Chief Harrison’s leadership and all of his endeavors for the betterment of our local force,” Passauer said. “He has built an effective and capable team and improved departmental practices, and I’m glad he chose to share his talents with our community for the past eight years. We wish him much continued success in his career.”
A farewell reception for Chief Harrison is scheduled Thursday, March 28, at 4:30 p.m., immediately preceding the Independence City Commission meeting at City Hall, 120 N. 6th. The public is invited to attend.