Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. has named Darryl Forté as the 43rd Sheriff of Jackson County and will serve as the officeholder for the remainder of the year.

Forté was selected from a slate of three qualified and accomplished finalists, who were recommended by a nine-person nominating committee following a public interview process.

“I want to thank all of the applicants for their willingness to put themselves out there and apply for this very important position. They have served our community honorably and I know they will continue to do so in the future,” White said. “Ultimately, I believe Darryl Forté is the right person for the job. He has put together an impressive plan to build on the strengths of the Sheriff’s Office and make the changes necessary to ensure the Office is one we can all be proud of.”

Forté has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience with the Kansas City Police Department, serving in a number of leadership roles with the Central Patrol Division, homicide and drug enforcement units before being named Deputy Chief. He would later become the first African-American to serve as Chief of the Kansas City Police Department, a position he held for nearly six years.

His tenure as police chief focused on creating an effective management system, improving the physical, mental and emotional well-being of all employees and building relationships between officers and the communities they serve.

“I am excited to lead the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and am grateful to County Executive Frank White, Jr., the nominating committee and community for their support,” Forté said. “It is my goal to help staff reach their full potential, but we need a clear, agreed upon vision in order to get there. I look forward to working with them to establish a direction for transformation and growth at the Sheriff’s Office.”

The County Executive presented Forté with a badge at a recent announcement and Jackson County Circuit Court Presiding Judge John Torrence administered the Oath of Office.

Forté has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Park College in Parkville, MO and a Master of Liberal Arts in Management from Baker University in Overland Park, KS.