Why UMKC's hiring of a new police chief from KCPD is drawing criticism
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Graves wrote a letter asking for leniency as DeValkenaere was beginning his appeal.
- Student groups criticized the hire and plan a May 5 rally outside the campus station.
- UMKC appointed former KCPD Captain Daniel Graves as its new police chief in 2024.
Former Kansas City Police Department Captain Daniel Graves has been appointed the new University of Missouri-Kansas City police chief. The hire has already drawn criticism from student groups.
Graves spent nearly 30 years with the Police Department, starting in 1996 and then retiring at the end of 2023. He is married to Police Department Chief Stacey Graves.
“We are pleased to welcome Chief Graves to UMKC,” said Troy Bruun, vice chancellor of finance and administration in a release announcing the hire. “His focus on leadership, accountability and community building made him stand out in the interview process, and we know he will be a committed professional in ensuring student and campus safety.”
The university’s chapter of Young Democratic Socialists of America said it plans to hold a rally against the hire on May 5 outside the campus police station. The group made a post on Instagram criticizing the hire, in particular for a letter of support Graves wrote for former Police Department detective Eric DeValkenaere.
“This letter was not written with integrity,” the group’s post said. “This letter should never have been written at all. And Daniel Graves should never have been hired.
“If Graves is willing to advocate for officers who commit racially charged acts of police brutality, what does that say about how far he would be willing to go to excuse the actions of campus police officers if they end up harming students?” the group said.
DeValkenaere was convicted of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the fatal shooting of Cameron Lamb in 2021. Graves’s letter asked for leniency from the court as DeValkenaere was beginning his appeal.
Graves wrote in his letter that DeValkenaere had lived across the street from him, and called the charges “politically motivated.” His wife was frequently questioned about the letter following her appointment as chief of police in December 2022.
Graves worked in various roles during his tenure with the Police Department, including the narcotics unit, property crimes division, violent crime division, tactical unit and special investigations unit. He was sworn in on Monday.
“What stands out about UMKC is its commitment to collaboration — where public safety is truly a shared responsibility across students, faculty and staff,” Graves said in the release announcing his hire. “My goal is to foster a police department culture rooted in trust, accountability and service, while advancing proactive, community-based policing strategies that enhance safety, support student success and position the police department as a valued partner in the university’s mission.”
Graves retired shortly after being seen working security for Taylor Swift at a Chiefs road game, something that was potentially against department policy. Police Department officials said at the time that this did not play a role in his decision to retire, and that he had always planned to leave the department at the end of 2023.
More recently, The Star reported that Graves was named in court documents as part of a lawsuit against the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners alleging Stacey Graves made rude gestures and remarks towards a subordinate before she was named chief.
