Revitalized Leadership Team and Focus of the IPF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

As the Independence Police Foundation (IPF) enters 2026, we are thrilled to announce a revitalized leadership team dedicated to driving our mission forward. IPF was established in 2019 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to advance public safety and enhance the effectiveness, professionalism, and well-being of the Independence Police Department (IPD).

Our mission remains steadfast, achieving this goal through philanthropy and fundraising to provide critical resources that fall outside the municipal budget - such as advanced training, equipment upgrades, community engagement, and youth outreach programs. 

Our focus is to strengthen the partnership between law enforcement and the community by investing in equipment, training, safety, innovation, and support for those whose protect and serve our community. 

 

Our mission to support the Independence Police Department and the community is more urgent than ever. IPF’s approach is evolving to meet the growing needs of the IPD and the community.

2026 Focus of the Independence Police Foundation

This year, our focus will be:

• Establish a Police Athletic League where area youth can find community, confidence and citizenship. The Police Athletic League will serve as a vibrant community hub where local officers and youth connect through sports and mentorship, providing kids with a safe, welcoming space to grow and learn.

• Fund wireless, portable license plate readers (LPR). The acquisition of portable LPR units will provide the department with the operational flexibility to deploy high-tech resources to emerging crime 'hot spots' in real-time. By utilizing mobile technology, the department can transition from static enforcement to a dynamic, intelligence-led model, suppressing criminal activity in specific neighborhoods and more effectively safeguard the community.  Investing in this technology is about responsive policing. These units will allow officers to pivot quickly to areas experiencing a rise in crime, providing an extra layer of security where it is needed most, ensuring that resources are always aligned with the community’s immediate safety needs.

Jennifer Hurst appointed Executive Director

We believe that change starts with the right people at the table. We’ve spent the last few months aligning our leadership to better serve the Independence community and to achieve these goals. 

As part of that alignment, we are pleased to announce the selection of Jennifer Hurst as the Executive Director of the IPF.  Jennifer joins the board with a vast array of experience and expertise as a strategic advisor and community development leader with more than 25 years experience strengthening organizations across the Kansas City region. 

As Executive Director, Jennifer will lead fundraising, strategic partnerships, and community engagement that supports the department.  She holds an advanced degree in Nonprofit Organizational Leadership from Arizona State University and an Executive Coaching Certification from Harvard University. Her career reflects a deep commitment to building resilient communities through philanthropy, economic development, and collaborative leadership.  

Jennifer will be supported by our Board of Directors.  The board is comprised of community and business leaders throughout Independence who continue to provide the steady hand and strategic vision that makes our work possible. With this team in place, we are ready to hit the ground running but need the support and assistance of the community. 

2026 Bourbon & Blue

Independence has always been more than just a place - it’s a community that shows up.

One upcoming opportunity to show support is at the Bourbon and Blue fundraiser on May 2, 2026. The ticketed event will take place at Ophelia’s Restaurant and Inn, Independence, Missouri starting at 5:00 p.m. Our goal is to raise funds which will go directly toward the development of a Police Athletic League Center open to all area Independence youth and technology needs, specifically portable LPR.  

Follow us Facebook for more details about the IPF and to make a one-time or recurring donation, go to independencepolicefoundation.org/support.