The dates for the 2020 Fall Conference have been selected! The business meeting will be held on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 13, and training will be held on Wednesday, October 14, and Thursday, October 15. Our host hotel will be the Bluemont Hotel in Manhattan, Kansas. I have already received from KPOA members, great training suggestions and I have started to reach out to potential presenters. If you have an idea please send an email to me.

I also want to take this opportunity to wish each of you, and your families, a safe and happy Thanksgiving. We provide a 24 / 365 service to the public which means many of us are working on Holidays. While each of us signed up for this profession, remember our families did not, even though they remain supportive. When giving thanks, remember to include your family.

Stay safe,

Paul

Members of the Kansas Peace Officers’ Association:

I am humbled you elected me to be your President for 2019-2020.

2019 was a year of changes for KPOA. Sherri Moore provided leadership to Joby Harrison, Darrin Stewart, Jeff Piper and myself, challenging us to look ahead so KPOA could remain a long-term resource and benefit for members. The KPOA web page received a makeover with new software including a members’ area, we reviewed and updated the Constitution and By-Laws, added benefits for members, and encouraged the District Governors to take more ownership and to be more active in the Association. You, as members expressed confidence in the Executive Officers to make these changes by your support at the well-attended business meetings. At the fall business meeting, John Defore was elected Vice-President and Marc McCune was elected Sergeant-At-Arms.

At the fall conference, we said a well-deserved thank you and so long to dedicated Secretary – Treasurer Al Thimmesch after he decided to retire. Al served the KPOA for 35 years and it is safe to say he was the face of KPOA. Saying goodbye to Al was bittersweet, but as he decided to go to the next chapter of his life, we wished him well. Al’s continued dedication to KPOA showed with his vital assistance to Sherri and Jeff as the Association made the transition from the Secretary – Treasurer position to the Administrator position. Al, there simply isn’t enough space here to express our appreciation to you.

Looking ahead, I want to take advantage of the capabilities of the KPOA web page to increase communication between members. I would like the web page to be more than a resource to search for job listings. As this is your organization, please plan on seeing and responding to surveys sent so the Executive Officers have input from members. When the KPOA is asked as a group for our stance on a topic, I would like to provide what the members believe, not just what I think the members believe. At the conference, I received suggestions including District Governors having younger officers promote KPOA within their districts, and having activities and possibly presentations for spouses at the 2020 fall conference and future conferences. I appreciate the time members took to speak with me.

Please know I am grateful to the members who keep their memberships current, and to the agencies who pay for their employees to be members.

Thanks to each of you for what you do, and stay safe!

Paul

KPOA Members,

My term as President has come to an end and I want to thank you for a great year. We have made some positive changes and reaffirmed the energy to sustain an incredible organization.

These changes  would not have been accomplished without the hard work and support of the executive board, I want to thank each one of them for their dedication and patience.

Thank you ALL for a fantastic year as President.

Warmest Regards,

Sherri

 

 

 

 

Labor Day usually means Summer is waving good-bye,  and Fall is waiting to arrive.

Labor Day constitutes a yearly, national tribute to the contributions workers  and laborers have made to the strength and well-being of our country. Like each of you choose to contribute in protecting and serving the citizens of Kansas in many different law enforcement capacities.

I hope this Labor Day weekend you will get some extra time off to relax and spend with those who are important in your life.

Have a good, long weekend and thank you for all you do as law enforcement.

Be safe!

Sherri 

Monday, I had the opportunity to meet with the KS COPS organization. Also present was AG Schmidt, members from KACP, State FOP representatives , and legislative liaison Ed Klumpp.

KS COPS is a statewide organization providing programs & services for the surviving families and co-workers of leo killed in the line of duty in KS. They assist in getting families to police week in DC,  have peer support groups, and even have camp for children who have unfortunately been exposed to the horrific tragedy of line of duty death of a parent.

Take a minute to look at their website www.kscops.org, or their fb page. I challenge each KPOA member to donate their next fancy coffee or lunch out money to this sadly needed wonderful organization.

I also hope and pray we don't need their programs this year in Kansas.

Be safe!

Sherri

 

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting several  applicants for the KPOA scholarships. Let me tell you..... the  future looks bright for these young people! (and us too)

We had a number of exceptional applicants and the decisions were not easy. This is also a testament to good parenting, keep it up!

KPOA wishes EACH applicant the utmost success throughout their time at school and in their chosen career.  

Stay safe!

Sherri  

 

As we celebrate the 4th of July with family, friends and fireworks,  take a moment to remember those who may not be celebrating, but working to keep your 4th  celebration safe.

Kansas has  great law enforcement officers  and I am proud to say several are  KPOA members. Thank you to all who are dedicated to the law enforcement profession and community.

Enjoy your 4th of July, however you are spending it.

Be safe!

Sherri

It is with great pleasure the KPOA would like to welcome Grover "Jeff" Piper as the new Administrator replacing the position of Secretary/ Treasurer.

Jeff is a Detective with the Maize Police Department and  will be a wonderful asset to the KPOA in this old, yet new position. His enthusiasm, and zeal to get things accomplished is evident with the new website.

Please take a minute to congratulate and welcome Jeff to the KPOA!

Stay safe,

Sherri

 

This past weekend the annual KPOA firearms competition took place at Trigger Guard Range. Thank you to ALL who competed, attended and volunteered.

 A great time was had by all. Hope to see even MORE participants next year!

Don't forget the fall KPOA conference is in October with some awesome speakers and great case presentations.

Be safe!

Sherri

Memorial Day weekend  means school is out for the year, graduations are complete and the beginning of summer is upon us. 

As we celebrate this long weekend, take a moment to remember the U.S. Military women and men who lost their lives while serving their country. Remember the sacrifices they made and their families continue to make.

Enjoy your weekend whether it be with family, BBQ's or just doing that project you have been putting off. As you do, take a moment and give thanks to ALL who make sacrifices for us.

Be safe!

Sherri