Joseph Mabin draws a few more head turns and conversations than he used to.
Serving as the Interim Chief of Police from April to December of 2022, Mabin stepped up to lead the department while stepping into the public limelight. The experience opened him up to new relationships and partnerships on behalf of KCPD.
“I got the opportunity to understand how the department works across all bureaus,” Mabin said. “I was able to forge new relationships with community members, and all that gave me a better perspective and made me more well-rounded.”
Mabin is now the new Deputy Chief of the Patrol Bureau, appointed by the new Chief of Police, Stacey Graves. Patrol is KCPD’s largest bureau, giving Mabin a chance to make a wide-reaching impact on the people he now leads.
“I’m focused on supporting the men and women of the patrol division to make them the most professional, highly-trained officers in the region,” Mabin explained. “I want to encourage them and support them in working with the community to reduce gun crime, juvenile crime, and quality of life issues.”
“Deputy Chief Mabin will now be leading the largest bureau made up of all uniformed officers,” Chief Graves said. “Mabin is a compassionate and tactical decision maker and has and infectious confidence that radiates throughout the police department.”
Mabin has been at KCPD for 22 years, and while he has ascended the ranks, he almost landed elsewhere. The Kansas City native earned a full-ride scholarship to Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, graduating with a degree in business administration. Mabin thought about joining the family construction business.
He also pondered working for the FBI. But policing was first in his heart, and shortly after joining KCPD, Mabin knew he was home.
Today, Mabin’s home life focuses on family, accompanied by exercise and literature. Mabin used to compete in boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA). Nowadays, he runs. “It’s a stress reliever,” Mabin said. “If you’re a police officer, you need to be ready to intervene. Exercise also helps improve an officer’s mental well-being.”
Policing can be a demanding challenge. That’s why books supplement Mabin’s exercise to help him stay focused and healthy. Not long ago, Mabin read “Man’s Search For Meaning” by Viktor Frankl, an account of Frankl’s time in a Nazi concentration camp. Frankl’s book is well known for helping one find purpose during times of adversity.
Having led the department and now the Patrol Bureau, Mabin knows his purpose. It’s to give of himself to make life safer and better in Kansas City.