According to the 2019 stats from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program, violent crime in Kansas plummeted nearly 7% between 2018 and 2019, falling from 12,861 incidents in 2018 to 11,968 incidents in 2019. Property crime fell nearly 14% during this time.
These statistics are concerning in many ways for the law enforcement professionals on the front lines in the fight to keep the people and property of Kansas safe. They also help tell the story of the work being done at the city, county and state level by municipal police departments, county sheriff’s offices and the state police and highway patrol serving the cities, unincorporated areas, and rural enclaves of Kansas.
Statewide Law Enforcement Agencies
Law enforcement is a concerted effort between agencies serving different jurisdictions. The largest of those jurisdictions go to the Kansas Highway Patrol and Bureau of Investigation.
Kansas Highway Patrol
There are more than 800 troopers serving in the Kansas Highway Patrol. These professionals have statewide authority to enforce traffic laws and can respond to incidents that occur anywhere in the state. Though Kansas Troopers are state employees, they are involved at the local level. The agency partners with chapters of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) campaign and additionally participates with youth in Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) events. Other activities include the Safe Kids program and fundraisers supporting the Special Olympics.
To qualify to become a state trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent, a clean driving record and criminal history, and complete a law enforcement academy program that includes extensive driver safety and field sobriety test training.
Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Operating under the Kansas Office of the Attorney General, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is the criminal investigative arm of the Kansas State government. The KBI is the state leader in laboratory and professional investigation services, and has been since 1939.
Special agents with the KBI work closely with other law enforcement agencies within one of the agency’s five divisions:
- Field Investigations Division
- Special Operations Division
- Forensic Laboratory Division
- Information Services Division
- Information Technology
Special agent candidates must have at least six years of law enforcement experience and/or post-secondary education.
Kansas Sheriff’s Departments
Outside of municipal boundaries, the law of the land is enforced by the county-level sheriff’s offices whose deputies patrol and respond to incidents that fall outside the jurisdiction of municipal police departments. They also often work within the boundaries of those municipal jurisdictions, partnering with city police departments when they’re needed.
The minimum requirement to become a deputy sheriff in one of Kansas’ numerous counties is usually a high school diploma or GED equivalent, although some departments prefer candidates with a post-secondary education.
Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office
The Sedgewick County Sheriff’s Office, as one of the largest law enforcement agencies in Kansas, employees 537 deputies and other professionals throughout its four bureaus: Administration, Detention, Law Enforcement, and Reserve. Deputies with the Sedgewick County Sheriff’s Office may be assigned to judicial services or perform out-of-state extraditions that involve bringing fugitives who have fled the state back into Kansas to stand trial.
Candidates must be at least 21 years old and possess a high school diploma/GED and valid driver’s license.
Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office includes a patrol division that has 41 members, including 27 deputies, and has three substations in De Soto, Edgerton, and Stillwell.
Sheriff’s deputy candidates for the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office must be at least 21 years old and demonstrate responsibility and stability as shown in their personality and relationships with others.
Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office
The Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office with 3 divisions, in addition to its administrative office: S.E.R.T. (Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team), investigations/operations/judicial, and community support and services.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, and they must be at least 21 years by the date of hire.
Municipal Police Departments in Kansas
Within city limits, most crime fighting and public safety work falls within the purview of municipal police departments.
A handful of the biggest agencies in the state include the Wichita, Overland Park, Topeka, Olathe and Lawrence Police Departments:
Wichita Police Department
The Wichita Police Department is organized into the three divisions: field and services, investigative, and support services. Applicants must have a basic education and mostly clean background and driving history. Any past acts of dishonesty or questionable financial behavior, including overdrawn bank accounts, must be explained.
Overland Park Police Department
The Overland Police Department consists of 310 full-time employees, 255 commissioned officers, and four divisions: Patrol, Patrol Support, Investigations, and Support Services.
Police officer candidates meet basic education requirements and may not have any immediate family members employed full or part time by the city of Overland Park.
Topeka Police Department
The primary mission of the Topeka Police Department is to increase the safety of local neighborhoods and reduce crime. A college education is recommended but not required for those who wish to apply to become a police officers with the Topeka PD.
Olathe Police Department
The Olathe Police Department’s patrol division includes officers that patrol the streets of Olathe 24 hours a day. The department is home to a number of specialized units, including a field training unit, a gang unit, honor guard, K-9 unit, and more. Deputy candidates must have a relatively clean driving record and will not be considered if an immediate family member is employed by the city of Olathe.
Lawrence Police Department
Candidates with the Lawrence Police Department must, at a minimum, have a high school diploma/GED, although preference is given to those with a college education. Candidates must also submit to an extensive background check, polygraph, physical fitness, and drug test.
Kansas Law Enforcement Salaries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), law enforcement officers in Kansas earned an average salary of $52,010 as of May 2021.
The following police/sheriff’s department salary data was sourced from May 2021 BLS stats (early career = 25th percentile, senior/late career = 90th percentile).
Police Officer Salaries
Police officers throughout Kansas’ largest police departments earn a similar starting salary in the mid-to-upper $40,000s.
Kansas City Police Department
The starting salary for Kansas City police officers is about $48,290. The top base salary for officers of the Kansas City Police Department is $83,640, although a variety of salary incentives, including specialty pay and educational incentives, may increase an officer’s pay substantially.
Olathe Police Department
The Olathe Police Department pays its police officers a starting salary of about $45,660, with a top-out pay of about $80,820 after 11 years of service. Bilingual officers, including those who are fluent in American Sign Language, earn an annual stipend here.
Overland Park Police Department
New hires with the Overland Park Police Department earn a starting salary of about $48,290. The top step on the salary schedule, Step 13, comes with a salary of about $83,640, although promotion to the rank of sergeant includes an even higher salary.
Topeka Police Department
The starting salary for police officers with the Topeka Police Department is $45,660. Officers enjoy additional salary increases earned after each successful year of service. The top salary for these law enforcement professionals is achieved after 18 years, with a salary of about $80,820.
Wichita Police Department
Recruits with the Wichita Police Department earn a salary of $40,960. The top pay for these law enforcement professionals is about $66,520, although additional salary increases can be expected for achieving more advanced positions like detective and sergeant.
Sheriff’s Deputy Salaries
The average, starting salary among Kansas’ largest sheriff’s departments is similar to their police officer colleagues working in the state’s municipal police departments.
Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
The deputy sheriffs of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office earn a starting salary of $37,320 and a maximum salary of $59,260. Promotions to sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and major come with higher salaries.
Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office
Law enforcement deputies with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office earn a starting salary of $40,960 and a top pay of $66,520. Higher ranking positions here come with even higher salaries.
Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office
The starting pay for entry-level deputies with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office is $45,660. Additional pay for bilingual officers is also available.
State Trooper and State Police Salaries
The troopers of the Kansas Highway Patrol earn between $40,190 and $77,350.
After five years of experience, advancement to master/technical trooper is available.
2021 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for police and sheriff’s patrol officers. Job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, Projections Central. Figures are based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2022.