The City of Spring Hill is thrilled to announce that our police department has achieved national acclaim, winning two prestigious awards in the past year. These honors highlight the department’s innovative practices, dedication to public safety, and commitment to building a stronger community. These accomplishments set the stage for a new era of leadership and excellence at SHPD.

Best Facebook Presence

One of the department’s recent accolades is the “Best Facebook Presence” Golden Post Award from the Government Social Media (GSM) professional association. GSM includes public agencies of all sizes, from small municipalities to federal organizations. Despite being one of the smallest agencies to ever be nominated—let alone win—SHPD stood out nationwide for its ability to build trust, connect with residents, and share vital information in meaningful ways.

"The goal is never to 'go viral'," says Captain Adam Khan, Interim Chief. "The goal is to identify messages that will benefit our community and present that information in a way that will resonate. The widespread popularity of the posts is a byproduct of the immense support we receive online and in person from the Spring Hill community."   

Each of the 18 SHPD team members contribute to social media presence by sharing ideas, providing safety tips, or participating in posts. The city’s Public Affairs Specialist, Kristen Boxman, collaborates with the department to craft social media posts. This ensures the department’s messaging remains genuine and community-focused without compromising officers’ duties. "What matters to one officer is different than what matters to a different officer—and the same is true for our residents, says Captain Khan. "Our officers are representative of our community members, so we ensure that our content is representative of their concerns and curiosities."

Social media that saves lives and builds community
While the light-hearted posts are likely to catch your attention while scrolling, their social media presence is a powerful tool for sharing emergency information, advertising community events like National Night Out, and creating a space for dialogue and trust. This has assisted the department in other achievements, including:  

• A Silver Alert for a missing man from Spring Hill was quickly shared via Facebook and reached 80,000 people, leading to him being found alive just hours later.  
• The department’s post with the most link clicks rallied followers to vote for K9 Loki, whose win secured a grant to cover veterinary care expenses.
• Social media serves as the primary communication method for the Blue Elves project, helping Spring Hill residents donate hundreds of gifts each year to families in need.

National Night Out: Outstanding Participation

On the community engagement front, the SHPD was awarded the 2024 National Award for Recognizing Outstanding Participation in ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime.’ This award celebrates the department’s leadership in hosting National Night Out (NNO) events. Nine Spring Hill neighborhoods joined in the August 2024 festivities. These events provided a platform for officers to connect with residents, discuss concerns, and find ways to address issues that matter most to residents.

Community Liaison Officers Jeremy Johnson and Madyson McGill led the charge, organizing engaging NNO events and following up with impactful initiatives like a post-event project focused on traffic safety improvements. Their dedication earned Spring Hill national recognition among cities of similar size and positioned it as the only city in Kansas to receive this prestigious award. 

"We don't want the public to only see us during emergencies. Police officers do much more than just respond to calls; we look beyond the call for service in front of us to see what else might be there. Whether it’s a person needing help, or evidence of additional crimes.  What matters most is community support. We can’t do our jobs without you, the residents." says Captain Khan. 

When social media and community engagement work together
The reciprocity between the department’s social media efforts and community events like NNO is a shining example of how each element supports the other. Social media spreads the word about events, increasing participation and engagement. In turn, these events generate fun and meaningful content for social platforms while also fostering in-person interactions. These interactions often lead to valuable conversations, with residents sharing concerns or information that helps the department solve crimes and achieve justice for victims. For example, a tip shared after a community event played a key role in solving a burglary case and recovering stolen property. 

Looking ahead at a new era of leadership

With such strong momentum, Spring Hill is eager to find a candidate who can build on this foundation. “The outgoing Chief, Cindy Henson, and current staff have established a legacy of strong community relationships, and we couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve accomplished,” says City Administrator, Lane Massey. “The next chief will have the privilege of leading a department that’s already thriving and help shape its future.”  

Spring Hill is one of the fastest-growing cities in Kansas. From new infrastructure projects to community programs, the city is thriving. The new Police Chief will not only lead an award-winning department but also work alongside a dynamic team of city leaders. “We're developing a City that’s a vibrant, welcoming community, and public safety is an essential piece.” said Massey.

The City is accepting applications for the Police Chief position through February 8, 2025. View the full job description and application form on our Employment page.