In 1993, Deputy Chief Mike Watson proposed the Police Department implement community policing in specific high-crime targeted areas as a precursor to adopting a city-wide implementation strategy. In 1994 two supervisors, Stephen Cole, and Thomas Stolz, were selected to lead the initiative. They selected 15 staff members trained to work with diverse populations, mediate neighborhood disputes, problem-solve, and use community resources. The officers were relieved of 911 call responsibility and focused on developing partnerships with the community while solving neighborhood problems.Wichita Eagle Newspaper, July 18, 1993 In March 1996, the Police Department expanded community policing to cover the entire city and assigned 36 officers, each assigned to a beat, to community policing. Wichita Eagle Newspaper, March 10, 1996
