Protecting the Vulnerable and Running to Us for Help

In this episode, host Mike Wagers sits down with Overland Park (KS) Police Chief Doreen Jokerst for a wide-ranging conversation on police leadership, community trust, and the future of public safety. Chief Jokerst shares her philosophy of “protecting the vulnerable from harm” and ensuring communities run to police for help, not away from them, while reflecting on her leadership journey from the University of Colorado to one of Kansas’s largest cities. The discussion explores The Curve nonprofit, lessons learned from managing high-profile events like Coach Deion Sanders’ arrival at CU and preparations for the World Cup, and how curiosity, innovation, and even failure play a critical role in evolving policing. Chief Jokerst also offers thoughtful insights on mentorship, organizational culture, and the responsible use of technology and AI in law enforcement.