After 38 years, UMKC will have a new face of safety, on an interim basis

 After nearly four decades, UMKC is welcoming a new chief of police on an interim basis while the search for a permanent one continues. 

   Jay Johnson filled the position when Mike Bongartz, who served for 38 years, retired on September 1. Johnson is originally from California and is currently a Clay County Commissioner. 

   Johnson’s career started in his hometown of Long Beach, where he worked for the police department for 23 years. He then went on to become the chief of police for Newport Beach and retired in 2015. After his retirement, he moved to the KC metro for a variety of reasons.

  “As for why UMKC, my daughter attends here. I was asked by the chancellor if I would be willing to fill in as interim police chief while the search for a permanent chief took place. This is helicopter parenting at its best,” said Johnson. 

   While looking for a permanent replacement, Vice Chancellor Troy Bruun contacted Johnson, in hopes of bringing in someone experienced for the position. Johnson has previously worked as a municipal police chief for multiple universities. 

   “Johnson is a seasoned public servant with more than three decades of experience in law enforcement and local government leadership,” according to the UMKC Insider.
  Even though he is working temporarily, his main goal is to keep campus as safe as possible. 

   “Public safety has been in my blood for my entire life. UMKC has a great police department, but we will never say, ‘We have arrived.’ We constantly look for ways to improve and provide even better safety and service to all we serve” said Johnson.

   The search for a new chief of police will take time, usually 3-6 months according to Johnson. While he does not have a say in his replacement, he feels honored to fill the position, even temporarily. 

    “I was asked to do a job I thought would be challenging and rewarding while making the school where my daughter and friends attend even safer. It’s an opportunity to bring some of my experience as an outsider,” said Johnson. 

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