Kansas City police department welcomes interim police chief

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City police department has a new interim chief, as embattled Chief Rick Smith officially retired. Deputy Chief Joe Mabin, a 22-year veteran of the department, was sworn in Friday. Mabin, who leads the department’s investigations bureau, has said he will not apply for the permanent position. Smith, who served 34 years in the department, was chief since 2017. Civil rights activists had called for years to have Smith retire or be fired, citing his handling of excessive force cases involving officers and the killing of Black men by police officers. The department announced in November that Smith planned to retire this spring.