Field training officer Chris Sager explains why he saw Rick Smith as the Kansas City Police Chief from the start of his career.
“Kindhearted. If he had to get tough with the bad guys he could do it,” said Chris Sager, retired Kansas City Law Enforcement Officer.
That’s the first thing Sager said when asked to describe Kansas City, Missouri’s new police chief Rick Smith.
Sager spent 8 years of his career as a Field Training Officer, bringing new recruits out into action, including Smith.
“He was good at everything. You tell him once, he knew it,” said Sager.
Sager received Smith as a new recruit in 1988. He said even back then Smith showed qualities wanted in top cops.
“He cares about people. He cares about officers,” said Sager.
When the announcement was made on Friday, Smith said he had big plans.
"It's a dream to sit in this chair and look at this department and see where we move forward and accomplish the things that need to be accomplished in the city to make this city great,” said Smith.
Sager said he knew Smith would become Chief within weeks of their training 29 years ago.
“I said it, ‘He’s the future police chief of the Kansas City Police Department.’ And that was in 1988,” said Sager.
Smith is currently commander of the central patrol division on Linwood Boulevard.
He will take on his new role as Chief on August 15th.
