The Overland Park Police Department was formed in 1960 when the Mission Township Police Department disbanded and became the Overland Park Police Department. The department was also formed when Overland Park became a "first class city". Tragedy first affected the Overland Park Police Department on January 19, 1968, when a Kansas Highway Patrol Sergeant, Eldon K. Miller, was shot and killed in Overland Park. The incident began with a bank robbery in Overland Park and during the robbery an Overland Park Police motorcycle officer was wounded and the suspects were then found in an apartment complex when officers found the getaway vehicle used in the robbery. Following the discovery officers set up a perimeter around the apartment complex and Trooper Miller hopped in a Johnson County Sheriff's Office patrol car and used the patrol car to cover other officers from gunfire, as he was moving the vehicle the suspects started shooting and gunfire hit Trooper Miller in the head killing him immediately. The suspects were arrested and sent to prison. Two Overland Park officers have been killed in the line of duty. Officer Deanna S. Rose was killed on January 6, 1985, when she was in the process of attempting to arrest an underage male for driving while drunk. As she tried to arrest him he knocked her down and got in his car and ran her over; she died two days later. He was later arrested for the crime and went to prison but was eventually released. She was the first female police officer killed in the state of Kansas. On May 4, 2020, Officer Michael Mosher was killed after he witnessed a hit and run and pursued the vehicle involved. Following a brief chase, Officer Mosher and the suspect exchanged gunfire, and both died as a result.
Glock Model 22.40 S&W- was replaced in 2020 by the Glock Model 17 as the standard sidearm for patrol officers. The Glock Model 22 had been in service since the early 2000s. The agency used the Gen 3 model up until around 2011 before going to the Gen 4 model.
Glock Model 23.40 S&W- was replaced in 2020 by the Glock Model 19 as the weapon for command staff, detectives and officers who prefer the more compact size pistol rather than carry the full size Glock. Like the Glock Model 22 it was in service since the early 2000s. The agency used the Gen 3 model up until around 2011 before going to the Gen 4 model.
Beretta 92 9mm- was replaced by the Glock Model 22 as the standard sidearm in the early 2000s. It had been in service for about 8–10 years and was issued out with 2 spare 15 round magazines.
Remington 870 12 Gauge- was used as a patrol shotgun before being replaced by the newer Benelli M3 shotguns. It was also used by SWAT in the 1980s and 1990s with a top folding stock to be more versatile for the needs of the SWAT unit.
Taser Model X26- was used but was replaced by a newer model of Taser.
Vehicles
Ford Explorer - The agency also has a few 2020 Explorer's purchased in addition to the 2014-2019 model years also in use.
