The Topeka administration has selected finalists in its search for a new police chief.
City leaders have narrowed the search for the next police chief from 18 candidates to four finalists, including one who is.
Former Police Chief Bryan Wheeles retired on July 1 and Jamey Haltom was named interim police chief.
When Wheeles retired, the city council held three public input sessions and an input survey to determine what Topeka residents wanted in their next police chief. As a result of the input, the city has chosen to strengthen background checks on incoming police chief candidates.
Those interested in meeting the finalists can attend the public event on Wednesday, November 6 at 6:00 PM in the Emerald Room of Hotel Topeka, located at 1717 SW Topeka Blvd.
W. Simon Happer
W. Simon Happer is deputy police chief of the Olverland Park Police Department in Overland Park, Kansas, according to a written statement from the city. Lt. Col. Happer has 34 years of law enforcement experience and 19 years of senior police leadership experience, including serving as interim police chief for the Overland Park Police Department.
Happer earned his master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas. He has worked with his command staff on new strategies to address workforce issues, including several proposals that focus on retaining current employees, recruiting candidates from colleges, the military and high schools. Happer said in the city’s written statement that he “hopes to reduce crime, increase traffic safety and improve morale, while building trust with a diverse population hungry for transparency and collaboration.”
Russ Klump
Russ Klumpp is a major in the Topeka Police Department. He has 19 years of leadership and management experience. He currently works in the Criminal Investigations and Field Operation units and was appointed by Governor Laura Kelly to serve on the Kansas 988 Commission to help reduce the suicide rate.
Klumpp received his doctorate in social psychology from Walden University. According to the written statement, Klumpp says he plans to “emphasize strong community relationships, a commitment to meaningful and open communication, police accountability, improved care and procedural integrity for employees, advancements in the delivery of police services and increasing of officer morale. “
Jose Salcido
Jose Salcido has more than 27 years of law enforcement experience, most recently as security director for the Friends University campus in Wichita, Kansas. He served in the United States Air Force for 25 years and retired as a major.
Salcido holds a master’s degree in military arts and sciences from the US Air Force Air Academy and holds an HR certification. While with the Wichita Police Department, he led the department of investigators while overseeing all criminal investigations. He also helped develop crime prevention strategies while working with the community.
Chris Vallejo
Chris Vallejo has spent thirty years in law enforcement and has held numerous positions with the Austin, Texas Police Department. During Vallejo’s time as a trainee commander in the APD, he helped develop diversity and inclusion training programs and employed recruitment strategies that led to the most diverse cadet class in APD history.
Vallejo holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from Texas State University. He also helped create a Chief Data Officer position to integrate community initiatives in an effort to foster trust and collaboration between the APD, elected officials and the community. Vallejo serves as an Executive Fellow of the National Policing Institute and regularly works with police chiefs across the country to address challenges facing America’s law enforcement.
This article originally appeared in Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka narrows police chief search to four finalists
