Former Philadelphia Deputy Commissioner Named Wichita Chief

After nearly eight months, the city of Wichita will have a new police chief. On Tuesday, retired Philadelphia Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Sullivan was appointed to lead the Wichita (KS) Police Department.

“I’m looking forward to working in a department that does have some challenges, that will take some work to fix,” Sullivan said. “I think the experience that I have garnered over many years in Philadelphia gives me the experience I need to take on these challenges.”

Sullivan said one of his key approaches to building relationships between police and the public is community outreach and he intends to do that in Wichita, KWCH reports.

“Meeting every community throughout the city of Wichita and engaging with all the residents and getting everyone’s perspective, understanding their priorities, listening, to think what we do well and what we need to do better,” he said.