Doreen Jokerst

Doreen Jokerst is the Chief of Police for the Overland Park Police Department (OPPD), serving Overland Park, Kansas— the state’s second-largest city, with a population of approximately 200,000 residents. The OPPD is a forward-thinking and innovative agency with an authorized strength of 280 commissioned officers and approximately 40 professional staff members.

Chief Jokerst is a nationally recognized public safety expert and policing leader with a strong track record of developing and implementing collaborative, forward-looking initiatives. Her career spans extensive experience in both public safety and emergency management, and she is deeply engaged with national and international public safety organizations. Chief Jokerst’s leadership focuses on initiatives that foster trust, transparency, and collaboration. Her commitment to fair and impartial policing is evident in her work to improve safety, raise standards, and promote accountability within law enforcement.

Recognized as a national expert in policing, Chief Jokerst is frequently invited to lead and participate in national educational initiatives. She has worked with a wide range of organizations, including the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriffs’ Association, the Reentry Initiative, the Justice Clearinghouse, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, among others. She is also a founding member of The Curve, an innovative leadership network that helps police leaders modernize policing practices to advance justice, dignity, equity, and fairness.

Before her current role, Chief Jokerst served as the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Chief of Police at the University of Colorado Boulder for six years where she led the Department to receive national accreditation. She also rose to the rank of police commander, after serving twenty years, in a Denver-area police department, gaining a wealth of experience in specialized roles and supervisory positions. Chief Jokerst holds certifications in Emergency Management from the State of Colorado and has commanded numerous critical incidents throughout her career. Academically, she holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity in Higher Education, a Master’s Degree in Psychology, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. She is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, the Senior Management Institute for Police, and the FBI National Academy.

Chief Jokerst’s career is defined by a deep commitment to advancing public safety, improving police-community relations, instituting evidence-based methodologies and modernizing public safety practices.