• Advise Police Department and make recommendations regarding public safety policy and social justice.
• Seek input on social equity challenges attributed to public safety.
• Review and recommend public safety policies, trainings and plans.
• Facilitate community involvement and input on public safety matters in Lenexa.
• Assist in community outreach efforts and education.

The CAB will focus on contemporary challenges that impact our community and Police Department. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Biased based policing
• Use of force
• Mental health response
• Criminal activity and trends
• Transparency
• Homelessness
• Technology

The CAB may be asked to review police-related incidents and may provide advice to the Police Department in light of community expectations and in accordance with Kansas data privacy laws. The CAB will not receive or review complaints initiated against police personnel and shall have no authority to investigate or otherwise participate in personnel matters involving specific police personnel. The CAB will not play a role in civil or criminal litigation. 

• Chief of Police serves as the department liaison to the CAB.
• Provide open and transparent communication to CAB members.
• Provide educational/training opportunities to better inform members of department operations.
• Provide logistical support for meetings.
• Provide opportunities for CAB to participate at Police Department and City events.
• Staff from Police Department will act as the recording secretary for meetings.
• Member(s) of department staff will be included in CAB meetings as necessary or as requested.
• Disseminate information, including meeting agendas, meeting minutes, etc., to members of CAB.
• Maintain all records related to CAB.

CAB members serve as ambassadors to strengthen the relationship between the Lenexa Police Department and the Lenexa community through education, awareness, and open dialogue. 

CAB membership is inclusive and diverse and should represent Lenexa’s community, with particular inclusion of people from underrepresented groups, including women, people of color, immigrants, and people with disabilities. Representation should reflect age and gender diversity as well as occupational and educational diversities and other factors that reflect community demographics and varied viewpoints. 

The CAB will be composed of up to seven volunteer members, appointed by the Mayor, and the majority of whom must be Lenexa residents. Initial terms will be staggered; thereafter, terms renew to three-year terms. When vacancies to the CAB occur, notification to the community will be made using various City communications tools including newsletters, social media channels, and the City website.

CAB members are encouraged to attend the Lenexa Police Department Citizens Police Academy, the Understanding Police Use of Force workshop, and other recommended programming to gain further knowledge about the department and police practices. 

The CAB shall have at least four regularly scheduled meetings each year. Special meetings may be held as often as the CAB deems necessary.

All meetings of the CAB shall be open to the public, except as provided by Kansas law. Meetings will place in the Prairie Star Conference Room at Lenexa City Hall, 17101 W. 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa, KS 66219, unless otherwise noted.

March 9, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.
June 8, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 7, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 7, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.

Meeting agendas and minutes

Sign up for agendas and minutes

In the early 2000s, Lenexa Chief of Police Ellen Hanson established the Lenexa Police Department Community Advisory Board (CAB). The goal was to provide a forum where key stakeholders serve as community liaisons and connectors between the Chief and community. Chief Hanson’s successor, Chief Thomas Hongslo, continued using the board throughout his tenure, adding a diverse group of citizens to serve on the CAB. 

When Dawn Layman was appointed Chief of Police in December 2020, one of her first priorities was formalizing the CAB. Chief Layman believed that formalizing the board would increase transparency and public trust, as well as bring more recognition to the board and expand interest in candidates willing to serve on it.   

In December 2021, the Lenexa City Council passed an ordinance that formalized the CAB for the Lenexa Police Department, including its purpose and establishing criteria for selection and service on the board.