Kelly’s pick to lead Kansas Highway Patrol sails through confirmation hearing

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s nominee to take over the Kansas Highway Patrol earned easy advancement through the first stage of his confirmation process Wednesday as he seeks to take over an agency that has faced consistent controversy for years.

The Kansas Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to send Erik Smith, a former top official for the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, to the full Senate for a vote.

“We were all very much impressed with your career credentials and the awesome responsibility it is to head up the Kansas Highway Patrol and I think you’re well suited to that,” said Kansas Senate Vice President Rick Wilborn, a McPherson Republican.

Smith, whose career in law enforcement started in Sedgwick County, began leading the patrol on an interim basis earlier this month. The state Senate will vote on his confirmation after they return to Topeka for the Legislative session next year.

While much of Smith’s career was spent in federal law enforcement, he said he consistently interacted with members of the highway patrol in his career.

“I’ve learned a lot about how to connect with people in a way that generates enthusiasm and hard work,” Smith told lawmakers. “I’m energized by the opportunity to provide a positive example, strong leadership and a clear message on how the highest standard of law enforcement and public safety will be provided to all Kansans.”

He steps into an agency that has faced scrutiny for years, including allegations of sexual harassment against his predecessor, recently retired Superintendent Herman Jones. Former Superintendent Mark Bruce, who led the agency before Jones, was forced out over questions about his handling of an alleged domestic violence case involving another high-ranking officer in the patrol.

Citing the allegations against Jones and the patrol’s continuing struggles to recruit and retain officers, Kansas Republican lawmakers threatened earlier this year to move the agency out of Kelly’s control and into the hands of Republican state Attorney General Kris Kobach.

The lawmakers dropped that effort when Jones announced his retirement earlier this year. The upbeat and congenial nature of Smith’s confirmation hearing marked a new relationship between the Legislature and the Highway Patrol.

Kansas Senate Majority Leader Larry Alley, a Winfield Republican, asked Smith to explain how he would address ongoing morale and recruitment struggles.

Smith promised to foster open communication within the agency and consistent use of disciplinary rules to “be hard on the problems and be soft on people.” Improved recruitment and retention, Smith said, is tied to improving morale so that individual troopers are motivated to recruit new members.

“Communication, setting a vision and working together to support that vision is important,” Smith said. “No voice should be quashed. If there are issues that need to be brought to my attention that originate at the rank and file I expect to learn of those issues.”

Alley said he believed morale at the highway patrol had already improved since Smith’s appointment was announced.

“I’m satisfied he’s the man for the job. I think he can turn that around,” Alley said.